Posted on January 7, 2026
Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones said Hegseth’s visit highlights just how vital shipbuilding is to both the local economy and national security.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Monday’s visit by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is drawing national attention to shipbuilding in Hampton Roads.
Hegseth made a stop at Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News, underscoring the region’s role in national defense.
Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones said the visit highlights just how vital shipbuilding is to both the local economy and national security.
“There’s so much military apparatus here in Hampton Roads that whatever happens in D.C. is going to affect the entire region, not only Newport News,” Jones said.
Jones pointed to growing workforce demands at HII Shipbuilding. A recent workforce report estimated the region will need about 40,000 additional workers in the coming years to remain competitive with global shipbuilding leaders, including China.
According to the mayor, the city currently has more jobs available than workers.
“So, unlike other mayors and other cities, we actually have more jobs than people,” Jones said. “We look forward to plugging in our citizens, not only in Newport News, but across the region to these high-paying jobs. We need to build more ships. It is a national security priority.”
However, Jones emphasized that keeping those jobs in the region long term requires more than ship production alone.
He said the city is prioritizing quality-of-life investments aimed at supporting shipbuilders and Navy officials, including major housing projects in downtown Newport News.
“We’ve done a really good job over the last few decades under this current administration for this city,” Jones said. “We’re prioritizing shipyard and Navy housing just in downtown Newport News. It’s a $400 million deal.”
Jones called the shipyard a national asset, saying shipbuilding remains critical to both national security and the region’s economic future.
The mayor will not attend today’s shipyard event due to a separate city press conference, but said shipbuilding remains a top economic priority for Newport News.
