Posted on July 22, 2026
By Brianna Fallon
CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Two major manufacturing projects are moving forward in Hampton Roads, bringing hundreds of jobs and expanding the region’s role in the growing U.S. offshore wind industry.
Officials said the investments from the projects are expected to create between 700 and 800 jobs while strengthening the domestic supply chain for renewable energy infrastructure and other critical industries.
Construction is already underway in Chesapeake on what will become Virginia’s tallest building. While the facility’s height is drawing attention, company officials say its purpose is far more significant.
The building will manufacture subsea cables used for offshore wind farms. According to Patrick Shim of LS Cable & System, the project also includes production of underground cable components, helping expand U.S.-based manufacturing for the nation’s energy grid.
“These are jobs people can be proud of,” Shim said. “These are skill sets that, in many cases, do not currently exist in the U.S., so we’ll be training workers and creating a workforce that can be here for generations.”
The Chesapeake facility has grown significantly in recent months. Shim said that what will be the tallest building now stands at nearly 100 feet tall, making it visible from many parts of Hampton Roads. Construction is expected to continue as crews work toward completing the manufacturing plant.
The subsea cable facility is only one part of the company’s investment in the region.
Shim said LS Cable & System is planning a second separate manufacturing facility in Chesapeake, although the exact location has not yet been announced. Groundbreaking is expected later this year.
The second plant will manufacture copper for wind power cables, magnet wire and rare earth magnets. In addition to supporting the offshore wind industry, those products have applications in the defense sector, where Shim explains demand for domestic manufacturing continues to grow.
“There’s a lot of interest from the U.S. government to get this business going as quickly as possible because there’s a lot of need for it,” Shim said.
Both manufacturing facilities are expected to be fully operational by 2028.
Shim also said the company is considering additional phases for its first manufacturing project, though those expansion plans are still under development.
