In This Edition

Feature | Spotlight on Suffolk: Where Logistics, Industry, and Innovation Converge

Here & Now | Why Everyone’s Betting on Virginia: The New U.S. Capitol of Innovation

Word in the ‘Roads |Digest of significant press releases and investment announcements from over 40 of the region’s economic development authorities, alliances, chambers, incubators, and local governments

Legislative Affairs & Regulatory Compliance | Shortage of Energy-ready Industrial Land

Spotlight on Suffolk: Where Logistics, Industry, and Innovation Converge

As the demand for strategically located, high-quality industrial real estate increases, Suffolk, Virginia, continues to grow as a key logistics and manufacturing center. With its close proximity to the Port of Virginia, direct access to a broad intermodal network, and a business-friendly environment, Suffolk has attracted nationally recognized brands like Amazon, Lowe’s, and Target, along with defense industry leaders such as Automatic Coating Limited USA and CMP Global, established itself as a logistics and manufacturing powerhouse.

“Exceptional Logistics Capabilities”
Suffolk is uniquely positioned within the Hampton Roads region, boasting exceptional logistics capabilities that include access to major highways, rail, and ports, as well as proximity to key military installations. These assets not only serve our local businesses but also strengthen the infrastructure needed for a resilient, defense-supportive industrial base across the region.

That network is matched by a skilled regional workforce accustomed to complex logistics and advanced manufacturing environments, including automated fulfillment, corrosion protection, and defense-grade quality systems.

Suffolk is within the boundaries of Foreign Trade Zone #20, one of only six FTZs in Virginia. FTZ designation allows certain types of merchandise to be imported into a Zone without going through formal Customs entry procedures or paying import duties. Customs duties and excise taxes are due only at the time of transfer from the FTZ for U.S. consumption. If the merchandise never enters the U.S. commerce, then no duties or taxes are paid on those items. The 5 million sq. ft. Atlantic Gateway Logistics Center is FTZ-enabled, allowing for an expedited FTZ designation application process without any fees payable to the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Board.

Suffolk is a proven strategic partner in both commercial and defense-related supply chains, ensuring that infrastructure, talent, and leadership are aligned for sustained success.

A City That Works With You
Suffolk’s success is no accident. The Suffolk Economic Development Department works shoulder to shoulder with companies to streamline site development, coordinate workforce solutions, and connect to local and state incentives. Their responsive, cooperative approach has enabled national and international companies to not only start up but also succeed in the market.

Meet Janet Days. At the helm of Suffolk Economic Development Department is Janet Days, former Commanding Officer of Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval base. Throughout her 37-year military career, Janet led complex operations, developed long-range strategies, and cultivated partnerships at every level—skills that now translate directly into driving Suffolk’s mission to be a choice destination for industrial manufacturing and the defense logistics chain.

“I believe economic development is far more than buildings and infrastructure—it is woven into the very tapestry of every city. It touches education, workforce development, housing, and quality of life. It is about shaping vibrant communities that attract investment and opportunity for all.”

A Commitment to the Defense Logistics Chain
Suffolk’s industrial base is tightly aligned with the needs of U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and federal missions. Automatic Coating Limited USA operates one of North America’s most advanced powder coating plants in the city, delivering corrosion-resistant finishes that extend the life and performance of defense equipment. CMP Global—headquartered in Suffolk—has led corrosion protection since 1928 and is the world’s largest anode manufacturer, producing premium zinc, aluminum, and magnesium alloys with ISO-certified quality and in-house lab testing. From advanced manufacturing to corrosion protection, Suffolk’s business community is uniquely positioned—and the city stands ready—to support mission-critical military operations and supply chain resiliency for years to come.

Suffolk is Built for Business

Set to deliver in Q2 2026, the Atlantic Gateway Logistics Center, located at 4721 Shoulders Hill Road, will be the closest speculative cross-dock industrial site to the Port of Virginia.

This advantage makes it a prime location for businesses with import/export operations and time-sensitive distribution needs.

The 443,039-square-foot, Class A facility features:

• 102 dock doors
• 4 drive-in bays
• 36’ clear height
• 130 trailer parking spaces and 239 employee spaces
• Zoned for heavy industrial (M-S)
• FTZ-enabled

With direct access to I-664 and I-64, tenants can quickly and efficiently move goods throughout the East Coast, while also taking advantage of rail and port infrastructure essential for modern logistics.



The Coastal Logistics Center at 150 Judkins Court is ready for move-in, offering up to 610,525 square feet of flexible, cross-dock industrial space. Leasing options start at 100,000 SF, making it ideal for both large-scale and midsize tenants.

Property highlights include:

• 82 dock doors (expandable to 175)
• 36’ ceiling height
• 4 drive-in doors
• 386 trailer spaces and 324 auto spaces
• 3,000 AMP power capacity
• 7” concrete slab rated at 4,000 PSI

Located just 20 miles from the Port of Virginia and within an 8-hour drive radius reaching over 78 million people, this facility is designed for logistics, e-commerce, and high-volume supply chain operators.

Here & Now

Hampton Roads -- A premier destination for international businesses

Why Everyone’s Betting on Virginia: The New U.S. Capital of Innovation

Famous for its history and countryside, this State is emerging as a leading high-tech hub, known as Silicon Valley East, shaping a new future for all

A recent article in Business Traveler calls Virginia like it sees it, leveling stats and facts to sustain its claim:

• Virginia currently holds the award as the most attractive state in America to set up business operations, according to CNBC. In recent years Amazon, Microsoft, Apple and Boeing have all opened major offices here—in Amazon’s case, its stunning second head office, HQ2, after considering 238 locations across the U.S. It is, says one tech investor, “a scramble to get set up there.”
• Virginia is the world’s data center capital, with more data processing than anywhere on Earth—a staggering 10 percent of our planet’s total capacity, fueled in part by a local AI boom.
• Virginia is now a top-five state for venture capital funding. According to the governor’s office, it’s creating almost 10,500 high-growth/high-wage start-ups a year—one roughly every 50 minutes—with hot sectors including sustainable energy, high tech, life sciences, aerospace and defense.
• Virginia’s burgeoning offshore wind farms, supply its own tech sector and others from the coastal waters of the Eastern Seaboard are. Their need for clean energy is also bringing the world’s first grid-scale nuclear fusion power plant to the state capital, Richmond.

The Network State

Swiss-British transplant Richard Wintsch is Startup Virginia’s CEO. He’s excited by the state’s “talent clusters.”

“Instead of everyone massing around an industrial center, competing for funding from the same sources, there are all these thriving bubbles—campuses, start-up networks, tech campuses—throughout,” he says. “We work together. If we meet a start-up in a sector we think 757 Collab has more capability to support, we refer to them. What we have here is a really distributed, campus-based, networked state—whatever walk of life you’re in.”

Word in the ’Roads

Recent press releases from the regional economic development authorities

Cities of Newport News & Hampton Receive 2025 Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)

NEWPORT NEWS & HAMPTON, VA - Newport News and Hampton will be acknowledged and honored this September, at the IEDC 2025 Annual Conference in Detroit, Michigan in the “Regional or Cross-Border Partnership” category for their collaboration on Liebherr Mining Equipment Newport News Co.’s expansion.

Liebherr, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of mining equipment, is investing $72.3 million to meet current and projected international demand for its products, while also advancing its transition to battery-powered mining trucks. Collaboration on this project was essential given the unique geographic location of the Liebherr facility directly on the city line of Newport News and Hampton.

Inaugural NN EDGE Summit Announced

NEWPORT NEWS, VA - The City of Newport News and its Economic Development Authority introduced the Newport News Economic Development Growth and Expansion (NN EDGE) Summit, scheduled for October 1–2, 2025, at the Newport News Marriott at City Center. This invite-only event aims to connect local and out-of-market developers with opportunity-rich development sites. It highlights the city’s proactive approach in advancing its economic development vision through public-private partnerships and expanded outreach via NNIsYourEDGE.com.

$7M+ in Federal Funds Go Toward Renovations at Airports in Hampton Roads

Four of five Hampton Roads airports will get the more than $7 million — including $4.7 million to restore Newport News-Williamsburg Airport’s general aviation apron pavement, $1.6 million to help in reconstructing a terminal entrance access road at Norfolk International Airport, nearly $1.1 million to help in the expansion of a fuel farm at Hampton Roads Executive Airport in Chesapeake and $361,000 to update Suffolk Executive Airport’s layout plan.

Atlantic Surf Park Lagoon Opens in Virginia Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - The surf lagoon is the centerpiece of the expansive $350-million Atlantic Park development, which, in addition to surfing, offers live entertainment, shopping, dining and boutique lodging. Additionally, Atlantic Park Living, a 309-apartment community managed by Drucker + Falk, has begun pre-leasing, offering residents a first-of-its-kind experience. Additional components of Atlantic Park include The Dome, which opened in May, and several first-to-market retailers and restaurants that will continue opening into the fall.

Newport News Approves $400M Navy Housing Plan to Expand Military Housing

NEWPORT NEWS, VA - The development plan will span several blocks between Warwick Boulevard, Huntington Avenue and 29th and 32nd Streets. It will be built in two phases:

• Phase 1 will be the largest chunk of construction, including work on a 17-story apartment complex with 555 units, a separate building with 6,000 square feet of retail space and a four-story, 1,050-space parking garage.
• Phase 2 will add nearly 200 additional units spread across two buildings with retail space, along with a third building dedicated to Navy programming. Construction will begin in the spring or summer of next year.

City Council has taken steps to advance the project, approving a rezoning request and allocating $5.5 million to support downtown initiatives in relation to the development.

Legislative Affairs & Regulatory Compliance

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Hampton Roads Is Running Out of Energy-Ready Industrial Land

An analysis of recent industrial market data, federal procurement trends, and national defense strategies completed by the Hampton Roads Alliance indicates that Hampton Roads, faces a tightening supply of developable, energy-ready industrial land. With regional industrial property vacancy rates at 5.0% and despite the recent acceleration of construction activity, the availability of industrial facilities and industrially zoned land remain insufficient to meet growing demand for modern logistics and advanced manufacturing facilities.

The shortage is most acute in Virginia Beach, where commercial vacancy has fallen to 0.7%–2%

VBDA Plan Targets Near-Term and Long-Term Expansion of Innovation Park

In response to the success of Innovation Park and feedback obtained from existing businesses at a Business Expansion and Retention Roundtable held last December, the Virginia Beach Development Authority developed a conceptual plan for the short-term and long-term expansion of Innovation Park that would provide the City additional land for attracting and retaining new businesses and growing the City’s tax base. VBDA’s plan was delivered to Virginia Beach City Council Members in conjunction with the VBDA’s fiscal year 2024-2025 Annual Report.

Council Backs Exploring Innovation Park Growth to Support Jobs & Tax Base

As noted in local reporting, the lack of industrial land is prompting economic development leaders to consider options south of the Green Line. On August 26, City Council gave the city manager the go-ahead to explore expansion of Innovation Park, which currently sits in the Princess Anne Special Economic Growth Area.

Innovation Park has been a success story. Since 2022, it has allowed for the phased expansion of multiple businesses, including two local businesses, which have grown exponentially resulting in over:

• 850 new and projected jobs
• 500 retained jobs
• over $173 million dollars in new and projected private capital investment

Had land not been available in Innovation Park, these businesses would have had to look outside the City to expand.

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