JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) — Norwegian missile manufacturer Kongsberg is investing more than $100 million to build a new 150,000-square-foot facility in James City County.
The plant, Kongsberg’s first in the United States, will produce two state-of-the-art cruise missiles being procured by the Department of Defense, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office announced this week.
“Following our productive meetings in Europe, Kongsberg’s decision to establish its first U.S. defense assembly facility in Virginia reaffirms our status as America’s top state for business,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin in a release. “Not only will this investment create more than 180 new jobs, but it will also showcase our strategic location to attract global leaders in defense industries. We are proud to welcome them to the Commonwealth and look forward to supporting their growth.”
“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,” added president and general manager of Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of KONGSBERG Heather Armentrout. “That combined with the livability of the area and the tremendous support offered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Hampton Roads Alliance and the James City County Economic Development Agency, made it clear that this is where we need to be.”
The company is producing Naval Strike Missiles for the Navy and Marine Corps, including for the new Constellation-class frigate, and Joint Strike Missiles for the Air Force’s F-35 fighters.
Youngkin approved a $1.5 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund, and a performance-based grant of $750,000 from the Virginia Investment Performance Grant, for the project.
The facility is expected to open in 2027.