The Newport News area has one of the highest per capita concentrations of scientists and engineers in the nation. David Birch, noted expert on small business growth and development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has said, "Throughout the United States, Hampton Roads is second only to Silicon Valley in its per capita concentration of scientists and engineers." Each year 15,000 personnel exit the military in the Hampton Roads region, many of them wishing to remain in our area. Fifty percent of the region's military officers have advanced degrees and 30% of the region's enlisted personnel have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Each year, more than 1,700 scientists from around the world visit Jefferson Lab to perform experiments using the continuous electron beam accelerator. Northrop Grumman employs one of the largest concentrations of engineering talent in the defense industry in Newport News. More than 2,500 scientists, engineers and support personnel work at NASA Langley Research Center. Furthermore, over 72,000 students attend the region’s seven universities and two community colleges.

Symantec and others have been very pleased with being able to recruit top talent to Newport News, from within and outside the area. Imagine, finding that you can sell your nondescript rancher in Silicon Valley, Boston or Long Island and pay cash for a larger home on the water or a golf course by moving to Newport News. That’s quite an enticement! Imagine, too, being able to offer current employees a 25%, 40% even a 75% raise without paying them a dime more, just by moving to Newport News and reducing their cost of living!