Hampton Roads Leaders Address Federal Policy Matters
By Bob McKenna, Virginia Peninsula Chamber
I have the privilege of representing the Virginia Peninsula Chamber membership and the surrounding business community in a group of regional leaders committed to making our region a better place to live, work and play. This group is committed to strengthening our region as a center for national security and economic innovation. Representing business, higher education, and local government, we seek to expand the economy, foster innovation, and promote regional collaboration. We must continue to work closely with our federal government representatives to ensure our momentum continues and that we are able to capitalize on opportunities and mitigate threats.
Opportunities
Hampton Roads is poised to lead in defense, space, energy, and digital infrastructure. The Trump administration’s focus on military readiness, energy independence, and American innovation aligns closely with our regional strengths. The establishment of the Office of Shipbuilding is an exciting and highly positive step, and we support the implementation of the National Defense Industrial Strategy to strengthen supply chains and workforce training. AUKUS which is a security pact between the U.S., U.K., and Australia, presents additional opportunities to grow our defense sector.
Our region is also positioned to lead in space exploration. NASA Langley, NASA Wallops, and the Virginia Spaceport Authority are critical assets for national security and commercial aerospace advancements, and we urge continued federal investment.
Energy remains a priority, as Hampton Roads faces growing demands. We are at the forefront of energy innovation, with offshore wind development, progress in clean hydrogen production, and a maritime workforce ready to support small modular nuclear reactors. Federal support for diverse energy solutions is essential to sustain our growth.
The region is also emerging as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure. With trans-Atlantic cables, internet exchanges, and a cluster of data centers, Hampton Roads and Richmond serve as a Global Internet Hub. Federal investment in the High-Performance Data Facility at Jefferson Lab will further advance AI capabilities and economic expansion.
Challenges
Federal policies must be structured to avoid unintended harm to our economy. Thoughtful implementation of tariffs is needed to protect regional economic interests.
Defense spending supports nearly 40% of our economy, with over 60,000 federal employees and 80,000 service members. Any reductions must be deliberate to avoid disruptions to national security and local economic stability.
Offshore wind has become a regional economic driver. The growth of this sector, including new manufacturing investments like LS GreenLink, depends on continued federal commitment to energy security and independence.
Hampton Roads has recently received over $1.6 billion for port upgrades, transportation, and flood mitigation. Protecting these investments will be crucial to long-term regional success.
Conclusion
Hampton Roads is at the center of national, economic, technological, and energy transformation. As our nation re-militarizes and re-industrializes to meet future challenges, we are in good position to build upon recent gains, and work closely with our elected officials to drive further progress for the region’s future.