Cruise missile factory groundbreaking; Week in review
Here are the top stories we covered for you this week:
Local and state officials broke ground Friday on a Norwegian factory that should be producing cruise missiles in James City County by 2028.
Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace President Eirik Lie said the facility will be hiring 180 people to produce cruise missiles for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. The company said the jobs would offer good pay and benefits. Lie said plans are for the factory to be be fully operational by 2028.
Construction of the $100 million, 150,000 square-foot factory should begin by the second quarter of this year, the company said. The factory will be located at the 328-acre Lovett 64 Commerce Center in Toano.
“One of the reasons that we chose this location was the proximity to the U.S. Navy and all of the military communities and veterans” that could be potential employees, said Heather Armentrout, the company’s U.S. president and general manager.
Finding skilled workers has become a challenge for American industry, and Armentrout said Kongsberg is considering expanding its apprenticeship program to its U.S facilities.
She said the company had already hired a local site manager.
“We'll have a local (human resources) team, a local supply chain team to build up our supply base, and then (start) production manufacturing,” added Armentrout, laying out the development process.
The cruise missiles are assembled from components manufactured in several countries. Potential suppliers have contacted James City County development officials to learn more about locating their own facilities in the area, county officials said, which could mean additional jobs.
The facility will assemble naval strike missiles for the Navy and Marine Corps and the joint strike missile for the Air Force’s F35A stealth fighter.
It will be Kongsberg’s first missile facility in the United States. The 212-year-old company operates another factory in Johnstown, PA -- its largest outside of Norway -- to build remote weapons stations, Armentrout said.
Kongsberg is a public company listed on the Oslo stock exchange.
Other major stories this week:
Tuesday, Jan. 13
City Council overturns architectural review board for overreach in Indian Springs case
Williamsburg City Council took the rare step of overturning the city’s Architectural Review Board Monday, ruling it overstepped its bounds in denying a developer design approval for two new homes in the Indian Springs neighborhood that residents fear will house more college students.
Wednesday, Jan. 14
Taxpayer advice to James City County — no tax hikes, save money, give it to schools
Some James City County taxpayers had a budget formula for the board of supervisors Tuesday – don’t raise taxes, cut expenses, and give the savings to local schools. Seven people spoke at a public hearing Tuesday evening designed to give staff input on what taxpayers would like to see in the next budget, which begins July 1.
Thursday, Jan. 15
School board ponders pay raises, new positions that could add $9 million to budget
Williamsburg‑James City County school board members voiced approval for pay raises and new hires that could add about $9 million to next year’s school budget.