The Hampton Roads region is home to the largest concentration of active-duty military personnel in the U.S., making it a critical hub in the national security landscape. The defense sector drives more than one-third of the local economy.
With its strategic military assets, highly skilled workforce, business-friendly environment, and exceptional quality of life, Virginia Beach stands as a cornerstone of national defense and a key part of one of the most robust defense ecosystems in the country.
The sole East Coast Master Jet Base of the U.S.
The world’s largest naval base.
America’s first civil aeronautics laboratory.
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Service members (regionally)0
Military installations (regionally)0
Jobs supported by defenseEconomic Advantages
Strategic Partners & Programs
- Virginia Beach International Incubator
- Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Coastal Virginia
- NavalX Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge
- Neptune Shield Mid-Atlantic Innovation & Tech Hub
- NASA Langley Research Center
In the second quarter of 2025, Virginia Beach businesses received 121 federal awards totaling $559.2 million.
Prime Mid-Atlantic location and close proximity to many major U.S. cities:
- The Port of Virginia: 3rd largest port on the East Coast and 5th in the U.S.
- 2 days drive to reach 60% of the U.S. population.
- 2 international airports (Washington, D.C. and Norfolk).
Highly educated, skilled, and sustainable labor:
- 12 regional colleges & universities and 21 trade and technical schools.
- 16,000 exiting military members annually, with half retained in the local workforce.
Virginia was ranked as the #1 State for Business in 2024.
Virginia Beach was named #8 of “The Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2024 (U.S. News & World Report)
Defense Companies
