Federal Labs Push to Boost Peninsula Economy

Jefferson Lab and NASA Langley leaders urged federal labs to strengthen the regional economy at the Virginia Peninsula Chamber's State of the Federal Labs event.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Employment

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of stacked stainless research cylinders beside copper cable on a concrete plinth, with a marsh horizon behind. — Virginia Peninsula Chamber leaders urged federal labs Jefferson Lab and NASA Langley to strengthen the regional economy through workforce development on Thursday. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Virginia Peninsula Chamber held its State of the Federal Labs event on Thursday, where Jefferson Lab and NASA Langley leaders called for federal labs to boost the regional economy. Officials discussed workforce development and the labs' expanding roles in the Peninsula.

Why it matters

Chamber President Bob McKenna said federal labs are underutilized by the localities that host them. Training a skilled workforce can take years, which is why NASA Langley is doubling down on workforce development in Hampton.

NASA Langley reports 1,300 civil servants, 1,300 on-site contractors and 300 students, with over two-thirds of its workforce made up of scientists and engineers. The lab recently hired 300 employees and aims to add 300 more in the next six months, though the source does not detail how those hiring goals will be funded.

The players

NASA Langley Research Center

NASA's aerospace research center in Hampton, Virginia, which focuses on aeronautics and space research and employs scientists, engineers and contractors.

Jefferson Lab

A U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory in Newport News, Virginia, focused on nuclear physics research and now operated by SURATech.

Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

The regional business organization that hosted the State of the Federal Labs event and whose president, Bob McKenna, called federal labs underutilized by their host localities.

The details

Jefferson Lab found a new operator, SURATech, in April and will expand its work into data and computational science, energy, and applied science. Jefferson Lab also underwent a voluntary workforce reduction last year, and Eric Brown joined as chief research officer in June.

April: SURATech became the new operator of Jefferson Lab.
Last year: Jefferson Lab carried out a voluntary workforce reduction.
June: Eric Brown joined Jefferson Lab as chief research officer.
Thursday: The Virginia Peninsula Chamber held its State of the Federal Labs event.
Next six months: NASA Langley aims to add 300 employees.

Economic Context

NASA has faced threats of funding cuts from the Trump administration, and its mission has shifted toward space exploration rather than climate science research. Langley's push to add 300 employees comes as the agency's priorities are being reshaped at the federal level.

NASA Langley's plan to add 300 employees over the next six months could create new job openings in Hampton. Its workforce development efforts may also open training pathways for residents seeking technical careers.

The takeaway

Federal labs are a major employer, and stronger local partnerships can help residents access skilled technical jobs. Watching how labs fund their hiring goals will show whether these workforce plans hold up.