Unmanned aerial services and aviation technology provider DroneUp is one of the most recent companies to commit to Virginia. In August, DroneUp announced an expansion of its Virginia Beach headquarters and the establishment of a testing, training, and research and development center at Richard Bland College in Dinwiddie County, tapping into the Commonwealth’s top-notch tech workforce, ranked as the country’s best by Business Facilities in 2022.
“This investment and expansion will not only bring new career opportunities to our region, but also allow us to tap into the brightest minds around Unmanned Aircraft System development and design,” said DroneUp CEO Tom Walker.
Innovation in Talent Development. Tech companies locating in Virginia can count on that workforce continuing to grow thanks to the $2 billion Tech Talent Investment Program, through which 14 Virginia universities will share funding over the next two decades for expansion of degree programs and construction of new facilities. Those investments will bolster a higher education system that’s the second-best in the country, according to SmartAsset.
The Tech Talent Investment Program is just one example of Virginia’s commitment to innovative, sustainable workforce solutions. The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a custom workforce initiative created by Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) in collaboration with higher education partners, accelerates new facility start-ups through the direct delivery of recruitment and training services that are fully customized to a company’s unique products, processes, equipment, standards, and culture.
“We were impressed with all that Virginia has to offer, from access to a skilled workforce, support for high-quality manufacturers, and great transport links.”
— Niels B. Christiansen, CEO of the LEGO Group
Major companies like the LEGO Group and Rocket Lab USA utilize the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, named the country’s second-best state workforce development program by Business Facilities in 2022. Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy is using the program to develop its workforce for its offshore wind turbine blade facility in Portsmouth, the first in the country.
“We were impressed with all that Virginia has to offer, from access to a skilled workforce, support for high-quality manufacturers, and great transport links,” said Niels B. Christiansen, CEO of the LEGO Group. “We appreciate support for our ambition to build a carbon-neutral run facility and construct a solar park and are looking forward to building a great team with support from the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program.”
A Strong Fit for Decision-makers. Companies that locate their operations in Virginia are drawn not just by Virginia’s top-notch workforce and education system, but also its pro-business environment and exceptional infrastructure.
The Port of Virginia is a major part of the Virginia advantage, with no height restrictions and the only authorization for 55-foot channels on the East Coast. By 2025, the port will have invested $1.5 billion in recent modernization and expansion projects, making it the most modern port with the deepest, widest ship channel on the East Coast.
Virginia’s favorable location, a strong infrastructure, top-tier education system, and commitment to innovation make the Commonwealth a strong location for expansions and new projects.
