Norfolk Mayor Announces Expansion at State of the City
Published
April 7, 2022
for
Robyn Sidersky
Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander addressed about 900 people at his annual State of the City address on Thursday.
Fairfax-based military contractor WR Systems will expand its Norfolk campus, Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander announced at the city’s annual State of the City address on Thursday.
The Norfolk campus currently houses more than 320 employees and will add several hundred jobs, Alexander said.
“In making the decision, they shared that Norfolk’s position as a strategic coastal and military location is critical to the continuation of their express service,” Alexander told a crowd of about 900 at the Hilton Norfolk The Main.
The company did not provide additional details on Thursday.
At the annual event highlighting the progress of Norfolk’s economic development, Alexander spoke about several ongoing initiatives, but began his speech by highlighting the recent crime and violence in Hampton Roads, which poses a threat to the city’s tourism, with more of 200 homicides in the region in 2021. and a series of fatal shootings during the last month.
“We will not tolerate crime in the city of Norfolk and Hampton Roads,” Alexander said. He quickly went on to highlight more positive aspects of the year.
The mayor spoke about the impact of the military, noting that 72 ships are homeported in Norfolk, along with 35 aircraft squadrons and 90,000 active-duty military members, contributing to nearly $25 billion in defense spending. He also mentioned previously announced multi-million dollar expansions to local shipyards.
Alexander highlighted the city’s efforts to curb flooding and improve coastal resiliency, announcing that the city learned last week that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will receive another $150 million in funding from the bipartisan infrastructure act. from President Joe Biden to support the city’s Coastal Storm Risk Management project. In January, the city learned that it would receive $249 million in funding. The funds will be used for the design and construction of a multi-phase coastal storm risk management project that, when completed, will help reduce and manage flooding in parts of the city. It will be done with storm barriers, natural and nature-based features, tide gates, flood walls, levees, pump stations, and other measures. Total funding is now just under $400 million.
Private investment
First announced earlier this week, Alexander noted the expansion of Norfolk-based Embody, a biotech company that will invest $5 million in a 10,000-square-foot expansion and 92 new jobs, primarily in research positions. and development, manufacturing, and sales and marketing. The company was started in 2014 and develops collagen-based technologies for soft tissue repair. The expansion will increase research and product development capabilities. “We’re going to continue to essentially scale our business operations, treating more patients, supporting more hospitals,” he said.
Alexander discussed the St. Paul area redevelopment project and plan developer Bruce Smith has to build 206 apartments with 4,200 square feet of retail space and new city parking on Bute Street. The project will replace three downtown public housing neighborhoods.
Alexander said the $500 million Headwaters Resort & Casino is set to break ground this summer and will take two years to build. Another project on the horizon is CMA CGM Group’s $36 million expansion in Norfolk, creating 400 jobs.
In October 2021, Norfolk began work on its $2.6 million cruise gangway at the Half Moon Conference Center, which will host larger cruise ships, Alexander said. Carnival cruises will begin stopping in Norfolk again in May and Norwegian Cruise Lines has 25 ports of call planned. Another tourism achievement he pointed to: Breeze Airways plans to invest about $5 million in a Norfolk-based hub and add new flights this summer. The airport employs about 17,000 people and has an economic impact of $2 billion, Alexander said. Other upcoming transportation projects include the $3.7 billion passenger rail expansion, which will bring a third passenger train to Norfolk.
Meanwhile, the Patriotic Festival is moving to Norfolk this year for Memorial Day weekend and is expected to have an economic impact of $23 million, Alexander said.
The Mayor also discussed the addition of MetroNet, which will bring new internet options to the city, a $90 million investment to build a 100% fiber optic network that will be ready in the next few years. He also noted that Cox has $100 million in broadband network upgrades planned for the region and will begin planned work in Norfolk.
City officials are still reviewing three proposals for the redevelopment of Military Circle, a high-profile project that features superstar musician Pharrell Williams, NFL star Emmitt Smith and Gold Key | PHR CEO Bruce Thompson, among others, vying for the opportunity to build a multi-use development.
