From the Editor: In this year’s Hampton Roads Business

This year’s edition of Hampton Roads Business takes a look at the impact on the region from a host of Trump administration policy changes on everything from trade to federal spending and restrictions on wind energy.

In this issue’s main feature, local freelance journalist Jim Morrison finds that while regional business leaders are concerned about some of the changes, they also see opportunities in the administration’s priorities. So far, defense spending has not changed greatly, especially compared with other sectors of the federal government, but economists and others encourage diversification into the private sector to hedge against potential future cuts.

Also in this year’s issue, we check in on the newly opened Atlantic Park in Virginia Beach, Norfolk’s forthcoming casino, LS GreenLink’s industrial cable factory under construction in Chesapeake, and the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion, which is on track to be complete in early 2027.

Plus, in our annual Executive Insights, we talk regional economic issues with local leaders from higher education, health care, banking, economic development and tourism.

Additionally, Virginia Business Associate Editor Josh Janney updates us on personnel shifts at Fort Eustis and what it could mean for the future. We also look at the newest Hampton Roads businesses on the Inc. 5000 and explore Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, which is still on schedule but has seen costs balloon in response to rising tariffs.

As usual, we include freshly updated lists and charts of commercial real estate firms, the region’s biggest expansions and economic development announcements, higher education institutions and startup resources, among other information.

We hope that you enjoy this year’s Hampton Roads Business issue and find something here to help your business grow.