Forestry has long been a vital part of Virginia’s economy. Since timber was first shipped to England 400 years ago, the industry has grown to contribute more than $21 billion per year in industrial output. Companies continue to choose Virginia for its thriving industry ecosystem, outstanding logistical advantages, access to quality talent, and top-ranked business climate.
Top automotive companies choose to locate or expand in Virginia for its thriving automotive ecosystem, skilled workforce, innovative culture, outstanding logistical advantages, competitive cost of doing business, and top-ranked business climate. In the past decade, over 80 automotive projects have been announced in Virginia, representing more than 8,000 jobs and $4.5 billion in investment.
With a thriving industrial and innovation ecosystem, a top-ranked business climate, and a highly skilled workforce, Virginia is an outstanding choice for aerospace and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) companies. In the past decade, 60 aerospace and UAS projects have been announced in Virginia, representing over 4,600 jobs and over $865 million in investment.
Virginia has a long tradition of advanced materials manufacturing dating back to the early 19th century, when the Commonwealth emerged as a manufacturing leader in the United States. Today, a diverse array of advanced materials companies continue to locate or expand in Virginia, drawn by its thriving industry base and strong manufacturing culture, outstanding logistical advantages, skilled workforce, competitively priced utilities, and top-ranked business climate.
Over the last few decades, the Commonwealth of Virginia has become one of North America’s premier locations for the tech sector. Thousands of tech firms and tech industry leaders have been attracted to Virginia by its combination of diverse, world-class talent, exceptional quality of life, attractive business climate, and competitive costs.
Building on a rich history of federal investments in fiber optics as well as pioneering tax advantages, Virginia hosts the largest data center market in the world and is home to more than 35% (~150) of all known hyperscale data centers worldwide.
Virginia has emerged as a national leader in cybersecurity and is at the forefront of talent development in the industry. The Commonwealth of Virginia is uniquely equipped to succeed in this sector, with close proximity to the federal government, unparalleled assets in information technology, and higher education institutions that are training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
The last few decades have solidified Virginia’s position as America’s hometown for corporate headquarters. In just the past 10 years, more than 500 companies have relocated to or expanded their headquarters offices in Virginia, attracted to its combination of diverse, world-class talent, exceptional quality of life, stable business climate, and competitive costs.
Top business process services (BPS) companies choose Virginia for its top talent, nationally recognized business climate, strategic location, and world-class infrastructure. BPS is a well-established, expanding sector; over the past decade, more than 28,000 jobs and $500 million in investment were announced in conjunction with nearly 200 BPS projects in Virginia, spanning sectors such as consulting, back-office services, and customer service.
Virginia’s collection of assets in the air, on land, and at sea uniquely position the Commonwealth to serve as a leader in this emerging industry. Home to one of six FAA-designated UAS test sites and two NASA facilities focusing on UAS research, Langley Research Center and Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia is poised to lead this promising disruptive technology sector and host unmanned systems manufacturing and testing.