In a bold move to redefine the narrative around talent attraction and economic opportunity, a regional rallying cry has emerged: Start in Hampton Roads. With a sleek new landing page that went live on June 15, 2025, and a pilot program that kicks off August 1 and runs through year-end, the initiative marks a turning point in…

In celebration of National Intern Day, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible students who joined the Hampton Roads Alliance this summer. Each summer, the Hampton Roads Alliance welcomes bright, driven student interns who bring energy, curiosity, fresh perspectives and a passion for learning to our work in regional…

The 2025 Navy & Marine Corps Procurement Conference, one of the premier gatherings in the national defense landscape, convened July 29–30 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, drawing Pentagon officials, senior military leaders and top defense contractors to the heart of Hampton Roads. Hosted by the American Defense…

For Mayor Rick West of Chesapeake, the idea of collaboration isn’t a policy—it’s a way of life. From his upbringing in the close-knit community of Great Bridge to his leadership today as a board member of the Hampton Roads Alliance, Mayor West’s story is rooted in the power of people coming together. “I was one of…

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” When Bruce Katz talks about the importance of developing a strategic plan to grow the economy of a region, he’s known to first quote Dolly Parton. Because it’s true. It also happens to be good advice. Katz, an urban economist with New Localism Associates who works…

Economic development is a team sport, and on Thursday, June 26, nearly 200 players from Hampton Roads gathered at Nauticus in Norfolk focused on the same goal: driving the region’s economy forward. The Hampton Roads Alliance Mid-Year Mixer served as both a scoreboard check and a strategy session. And by the numbers, the…

Mayor Jimmy Gray may hold office in Hampton, but his influence and perspective stretch far beyond the city’s borders. Born and raised in Portsmouth, with a long public service career in Chesapeake and now proudly serving as mayor in Hampton, Gray is a true regional leader. His connection to the Hampton Roads community isn’t…