Traditionally, the defense sector has underpinned the Newport News economic base. However, the City, over the last twenty years, has made tremendous strides in diversifying this economic base. The defense sector, which includes shipbuilding, military bases and related support industries accounts for about 33% of the employment in the City and about 25% of the employment in the Norfolk Virginia Beach Newport News MSA.

The technology sector is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Newport News economic base. Technology-oriented firms are attracted to Newport News by the unbeatable combination of a highly skilled workforce, the low cost of doing business, and a pleasant and exciting array of lifestyle amenities. Other facets of Newport News' economic base include teleservices, food processing (especially seafood), materials processing (rubber, plastics, glass), printing, port activities and wholesale/distribution.

Economic Base Employment by Industry, 2008

Shipbuilding	19,000
Defense Installations	18,850
Automotive/Aerospace	2,400
Distribution/Wholesale	2,700
Office and electronic equipment, instruments	1,950
Teleservice	1,700
Information technology, software, engineering, consulting	1,450
Higher Education	1,400
Food Processing	1,050
Machining/Metals/Machinery	1,000
Hotels	950
Research and Development	850
Printing	800
Corporate Headquarters	650
Port	400
Materials processing (wood/paper/rubber/plastics/glass/clay)	250
Total	55,400
Source: Virginia Employment Commission, Hampton Roads Statistical Digest, Daily Press

City of Newport News Largest Employers: Manufacturing, Distribution,
Teleservice and Technology

15,000+ Employees
Huntington Ingalls Industries - Newport News Shipbuilding

1,000-2,500 Employees
Canon Virginia
Ferguson Enterprises
Dan Daniels Distribution Center (AAFES)

500-999 Employees
APAC/United Parcel Service (Customer Service)
Continental Automotive Systems
Icelandic USA, Inc.
Northrop Grumman Information Systems
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab)

250-499 Employees
Daily Press
Liebherr-America
Signature Styles LLC (formerly Spiegel Brands, Inc.)
United Parcel Service (Distribution)

100 - 249 Employees
C & F Enterprises
General Dynamics Advanced Inc.
Kinyo Virginia
Marva-Maid Dairy
News America Marketing
Northrop Grumman - Logicon Division
Huntington Ingalls Industries - Newport News Industrial Corporation
Pepsi-Cola Bottling
Printpack (Rampart Packaging Division)
Solo, Inc
Tri-Cities Beverage
Triumph Aerospace Systems Newport News
Truswood
Virginia International Terminals