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April 6, 2026
Newport News, VA – On Friday, April 17, the Commonwealth of Virginia announced the award of a $3,061,400 Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grant to support the Hampton Roads Mobility Innovation Center (MIC), a transformative initiative advancing the region’s position in next-generation aviation, aerospace, and uncrewed systems. The project is supported through GO Virginia Region 5, with the Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable serving as the regional support organization and grantee.
The Mobility Innovation Center will establish a state-of-the-art, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-aligned training, testing, and research environment for advanced air mobility and uncrewed systems technologies. The MIC is structured as a dual-site model, anchored by the Newport News-Williamsburg Airport (PHF) for crewed aviation operations and supported by a regulated Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operating environment for research and workforce training at the Newport News Park Radio Control Club (NNPRCC) site. Together, these assets will create a unique, FAA-compliant ecosystem for workforce development, applied research and development, and real-world technology validation.
The award represents a significant investment in the continued evolution of Newport News-Williamsburg Airport and reinforces the City’s broader strategy to position aviation and aerospace as key growth industries. The Mobility Innovation Center serves as a critical component of the City’s airport repositioning strategy, advancing diversification into advanced aviation, supporting innovation-driven economic development, and accelerating the market readiness and competitive positioning of AirCommerce Park, along with the Newport News-Williamsburg Airport.
The project brings together a collaborative network of more than 20 partners across industry, academia, and government, including the City of Newport News, the Newport News Economic Development Authority, the Peninsula Airport Commission, the City of Hampton, the Hampton Roads Alliance, Old Dominion University, Christopher Newport University, and NASA, to support workforce development, applied research, business growth, and innovation in emerging aviation technologies.
“This investment represents a major advancement in positioning Newport News and Hampton Roads at the forefront of the aviation and aerospace industries of the future,” said Mayor Phillip D. Jones. “The Mobility Innovation Center builds on our efforts to transform Newport News-Williamsburg Airport into a hub for innovation, workforce development, and economic opportunity. By aligning infrastructure, industry, and talent, we are creating new pathways for growth and ensuring our community remains competitive in high-demand, high-wage sectors.”
Newport News-Williamsburg Airport will support the initiative through office space, coordination with FAA partners, and technical expertise, with future operations anticipated to include testing and integration of both uncrewed and crewed platforms in support of BVLOS and advanced air mobility (AAM) applications.
“The Mobility Innovation Center reflects the strength of regional collaboration and the importance of investing in infrastructure that supports both industry and workforce needs,” said Lindsey Carney-Smith, Chair of the Peninsula Airport Commission. “This initiative enhances the role of Newport News-Williamsburg Airport as a critical asset for innovation and positions the region to lead in advanced air mobility and uncrewed systems development. The Peninsula Airport Commission is proud to be a partner in this future-focused program.”
Tom Frantz, chair of the GO Virginia Region 5 Council, added, “The MIC will bring jobs and growth to the region and support Virginia’s leadership in aviation and technology.”
The Newport News Economic Development Authority will serve as the sub-grantee of the GO Virginia funding and play a key role in project implementation in partnership with the Peninsula Airport Commission and regional stakeholders.
“This project represents a strategic investment in our long-term growth,” said Cathy Williams, Chair of the Newport News Economic Development Authority. “The Mobility Innovation Center strengthens Newport News’ competitive position in aviation and aerospace, enhancing our ability to attract new business investment, support industry expansion, and develop a workforce ready to meet industry demand.”
Universal Solutions International, Inc. (USI), a Newport News-based firm, will serve as a key technical and program delivery partner supporting the development and operationalization of the MIC.
“The Mobility Innovation Center is designed to deliver the operational capabilities and infrastructure needed to support advanced aviation training, testing, and integration,” said Dan Wolfe, CEO and Founder of USI, Inc. “By establishing FAA-aligned environments and scalable systems, this project enables both workforce development and industry application in a practical and forward-looking way.”
The Mobility Innovation Center is expected to serve as a regional hub for training, testing, research, and collaboration, strengthening Hampton Roads’ role in next-generation aviation and supporting the continued growth of high-demand industry sectors.
About Newport News
Newport News, Virginia, is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads region of southeast Virginia. Its central location makes it an important hub for both business and tourism. Newport News continues to focus on strategic growth, public safety, and community investment. The city also continues to advance transparency and innovation in local government, earning national recognition for open data initiatives and improvements in public access to information.
About GO Virginia
Growth and Opportunity (GO) Virginia is a statewide initiative that supports regional collaboration among business, education, and government to foster private-sector growth and create higher-paying jobs. GO Virginia Region 5 is comprised of 16 cities and counties located in Hampton Roads and Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
About Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable
The Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable brings together corporate and higher education CEOs and Presidents with the mission to enhance the region’s economic advantage and growth trajectory. The Roundtable also serves as the support organization for Region 5 of Virginia’s GO Virginia program.
Media Contact: Gabrielle Torres Wolfe, torresgn1@nnva.gov , 757-936-0302
