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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Plans James City County, Virginia, Manufacturing Operations

09/23/2024
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Inc., a provider of defense and aerospace systems, plans to establish operations in James City County, Virginia. The $71 million project is expected to create 180 jobs.

The new 150,000-square-foot facility will provide additional production capacity, sustainment and in-country tech refresh capabilities for two cruise missiles being procured by the Department of Defense.

“The decision to choose James City County, Virginia, was heavily influenced by the continuous availability of well-trained and highly skilled workers coming from the various military installations in the region,” said president and general manager of Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of KONGSBERG Heather Armentrout. “That combined with the livability of the area and the tremendous support offered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Hampton Roads Alliance and the James City County Economic Development Agency, made it clear that this is where we need to be.”

Governor Youngkin approved a $1.5 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist James City County with the project. The Governor’s office also approved a performance-based grant of $750,000 from the Virginia Investment Performance Grant, an incentive that encourages continued capital investment by existing Virginia companies.

Support for Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Inc.’s job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a workforce initiative created by VEDP in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System and other higher education partners.

“Kongsberg's investment in a 150,000-square-foot facility in James City County is a perfect example of why Virginia is an ideal destination for businesses around the world,” noted Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with James City County and the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance to secure the project.

“When it comes to the business of defense, Hampton Roads is America’s military metro,” added Hampton Roads Alliance President & CEO Doug?Smith. “With over one-third of our local economy supporting the defense sector and 18 military installations located in the region, Hampton Roads is one of the most significant defense ecosystems in the world. There is no question Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace chose the right location for its newest U.S. facility in James City County. We look forward to supporting their success in Hampton Roads and Virginia.”

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is the defense and aerospace division of the KONGSBERG Group, an international technology company that supplies high-technology systems and solutions to customers in the merchant marine, defense, aerospace, offshore industries, and renewable energy sectors.

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