Media Coverage
How journalists and regional publications have covered Future of Hampton Roads — from our founding in 1982 to the region we're building today.
This video, produced by Joel Rubin, was filmed on February 22, 2023 and unveiled on March 28, 2023 at the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development as part of the 2023 Hampton Roads Alliance Annual Meeting.
Future of Hampton Roads was featured in the August 2024 edition of On the Move, highlighting the organization's ongoing work to unite the region.
WVEC 13 News reported this when our organization was formed in 1982:
"The formation of The Future of Hampton Roads in 1982 was a significant step towards regional collaboration and development. The group was formed to address the challenges of regionalism and to ensure that the cities of Hampton Roads could work together effectively. The organization aimed to foster collaboration, innovation, and appreciation within the region, advocating for regional collaboration and mutual appreciation.
The Future of Hampton Roads, Inc. was founded by a group of community leaders who were committed to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Hampton Roads. The organization's mission was to encourage, support, and sustain activities and other organizations that promote regionalism and to work toward achieving the vision of a political union representing the region."
WAVY TV 10 captured this archival footage of Future of Hampton Roads in 1983, just a year after the organization's founding.
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Hampton Roads is Virginia's second most populous region, home to 1.79 million people across 17 localities. Virginia Beach is the commonwealth's largest city by population with approximately 457,066 residents, while Norfolk is the densest locality at 4,467 people per square mile.
The region serves as a major economic hub, hosting several significant facilities and projects. The Port of Virginia, Naval Station Norfolk (the world's largest Navy base), and Naval Air Station Oceana (the Navy's East Coast master jet base) are all located there. Huntington Ingalls Industries, including Newport News Shipbuilding, operates in the area.
Additionally, Dominion Energy's offshore wind farm project — valued at $10.7 billion and 60% complete as of July — is being constructed 27 miles off Virginia Beach's coast. The $3.9 billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion, described as "the state's largest-ever highway project," is also underway.
The region supports higher education through institutions including Christopher Newport University, Regent University, Virginia Wesleyan University, William & Mary, Old Dominion University, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, four community colleges, and Virginia Beach-based ECPI University.