Source: Daily Press “Your Hampton Roads Guide Living Here 2019” The Newport News Shipbuilding is Virginia’s largest industrial employer and a core component of the local economy. Located on the southeastern tip of the Peninsula, the company began operations in 1886. Founded by railroad magnate Collis Potter Huntington, the shipyard employs more than 20,000 people and is home to Virginia’s largest labor union, United Steelworkers Local 8888. The Shipyard has gone through several owners and in 2008 became Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. with its headquarters in Newport News also owns Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS and builds amphibious warships, destroyers and Coast Guard cutters. It is the country’s sole designer, builder and refueler of nuclear powered aircraft carriers which are based at Naval Station Norfolk, at West Coast bases and in Japan. It is one of two manufacturers of nuclear-powered submarines. The Shipyard is well positioned today as a major contributor to the vitality and economic growth of Newport News.