Norwegian defense company to build new missile factory in James City County

A Norwegian aerospace and defense contractor will invest $71 million into a new missile factory in James City County.

Representatives from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace say the 150,000-square-foot facility will create more than 180 new jobs. 

• Gov. Glenn Youngkin approved a $1.5 million Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund grant to support James City County with the site’s development. 

Virginia won the project after competing with two other states. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with James City County and the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance to bring the site to the county.

• “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 Heather Armentrout, Kongsberg’s president. “That combined with the livability of the area… made it clear that this is where we need to be.” 

The James City County facility will be Kongsberg’s first-ever location in the United States. Representatives from the company say they expect the site will open in 2027.

Local officials say the factory will strengthen the state’s military standing in the nation and bring high-quality jobs to the region.

• “Our business-friendly environment and skilled workforce make us the envy of the nation, and I am pleased to see the investment by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in our community,” said Delegate Chad Green. “This investment will keep James City County and our region competitive on a state, national and global scale.”
• “I am pleased that our economic development staff, the Hampton Roads Alliance, and VEDP were able to collaborate to attract this investment and 180-plus high-paying jobs to James City County,” said Ruth Larson, chair of the James City County Board of Supervisors.