The Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Hampton region ("Hampton Roads") is the 26th largest Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) out of 271 MSA's in the country. Hampton Roads features the largest and fastest growing port in the United States, a diverse economy, and a solid military sector with major military headquarters and the world's largest naval base. Businesses are attracted to Hampton Roads for a number of factors, including a relatively low cost of living, high quality of life, a well educated and ample labor force, and the area's aggressive pro-business growth environment.

With over 1,600,000 people, Hampton Roads is the fourth largest MSA in the Southeast behind only Atlanta, Tampa/St. Petersburg, and Miami. The region has the highest population between Washington DC and Atlanta, Georgia.

The Hampton Roads region is now home to 16 publicly-traded corporations including two companies traded on the New York Stock Exchange: Norfolk Southern Corporation and Newport News Shipbuilding, Inc. The region has also become known as a major target market for back office operations. Over 50 companies have 200 or more employees in their call center operations here in Hampton Roads.

Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance