Posts by Caroline Branch

Trail Investments Build Quality of Life & Economic Opportunity Back to Blog August 3, 2026 By Bob McKenna Virginia Peninsula Chamber Communities with connected trail systems don’t just attract walkers and cyclists, they attract visitors, new residents, and business investment. Studies consistently show that trails increase tourism spending, support local businesses, raise nearby property values,…

NASA Langley Seeks Partners for Innovation District Back to Blog August 3, 2026 By Bob McKenna Virginia Peninsula Chamber NASA Langley Research Center is taking a significant step toward expanding its innovation ecosystem with the release of a Request for Information (RFI) seeking private-sector interest in developing portions of its Hampton campus. The RFI invites…

Virginia is Developing its 2026 Virginia Energy Plan Back to Blog August 3, 2026 By Bob McKenna Virginia Peninsula Chamber Virginia is developing its 2026 Virginia Energy Plan, a roadmap that will guide the Commonwealth’s energy future for the next decade. The plan will influence everything from electricity generation and grid reliability to energy costs…

Psionic Selected for NASA Collaboration Supporting Future Lunar and Mars Missions Back to Blog August 3, 2026 By Bob McKenna Virginia Peninsula Chamber Another Virginia Peninsula innovation success story is reaching new heights. Psionic, a Hampton Roads technology company developing advanced navigation systems for GPS-denied environments, has been selected by NASA as part of the…

Key Legislative Changes Impacting Virginia Employers Back to Blog July 6, 2026 By Bob McKenna Virginia Peninsula Chamber Several new Virginia employment laws are set to take effect in 2026, bringing important changes that employers should understand and prepare for. Among the most significant is a new pay transparency requirement that will require employers to…

Jefferson Lab Breaks Ground on Data Center to Power the Future of Scientific Discovery Back to Blog July 6, 2026 By Bob McKenna Virginia Peninsula Chamber Newport News continues to strengthen its position as a hub for innovation and advanced research. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility broke…

Bon Secours Breaks Ground on $200 Million Expansion at Mary Immaculate Hospital Back to Blog July 6, 2026 By Bob McKenna Virginia Peninsula Chamber Healthcare remains one of the Peninsula’s largest economic drivers, and a major investment announced this spring will strengthen both regional healthcare capacity and the local economy. Bon Secours recently broke ground…

Newport News Lands Major Maufacturing Expansion Back to Blog July 6, 2026 By Bob McKenna Virginia Peninsula Chamber Virginia’s manufacturing sector received a significant boost this year as Annandale Millwork and Allied Systems Corporation announced an $11.5 million expansion in Newport News. The family-owned company, along with Frogale Lumber Supply, expects to create 154 new…

Newport News Trades Center Strengthens Workforce Pipeline Back to Blog June 1, 2026 By Bob McKenna Virginia Peninsula Chamber As workforce shortages continue to challenge employers across the maritime, construction, and industrial sectors, the newly opened Newport News Trades Center is emerging as a major investment in the region’s talent pipeline. Developed through a partnership…

Fort Monroe Redevelopment Continues to Build Momentum Back to Blog June 1, 2026 By Bob McKenna Virginia Peninsula Chamber More than a decade after the closure of Fort Monroe as an active military installation, redevelopment efforts continue potentially transforming the historic waterfront property into one of the Peninsula’s most unique mixed-use destinations. Recent momentum has…