Hampton Roads Regional Economic Wins

MASA Group Inc., a high technology company specializing in cognitive artificial intelligence and optimization for logistics, headquartered in Paris, France, MASA adds to the region’s growing international profile. Maintaining and aggressive growth plan, MASA’s location in Old Dominion University’s Innovation Research Park is set to become the core U.S. technical team.

Why Hampton Roads? “We chose to operate in Norfolk due to the development of the new technology park, the proximity to Old Dominion University and the regional commitment to modeling and simulation. We moved to the park to benefit from the university environment and to tap into the student population as we proceeded to hire. The location is close to our customers and the facilities are new and well appointed.” — Mark Phillips, Vice President Business Development

Ipconfigure, is an IP surveillance company headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company, which currently holds the largest IP based surveillance project in the world with the U.S. Government, opened its global sales office in the Innovation Research Park on the campus of ODU in Norfolk. ipConfigure is committed to the idea of open architecture and will continue to facilitate the convergence of physical security and IT technologies by integrating both building and life safety systems through a seamless enterprise solution.

Why Hampton Roads? “Locating at IRP allowed us to take advantage of proximity to ODU’s Vision Lab and a ready pool of well-trained, enthusiastic workers. Our goal is to make Hampton Roads the center of video surveillance technology.” — Christopher Uiterwyk, CEO and ODU alum

Cobham Composites, an industry leader in high tech military and civil aerospace composite products, chose Suffolk’s Northgate Commerce Park for its first East Coast plant. Operations are scheduled to begin early 2010.

Why Hampton Roads? “Our reasons for selecting Hampton Roads and Suffolk over all of the competing cities was based on the abundance of a high quality workforce, the great quality of living as well as clearly identified statistics and details of the incentive packages from the city of Suffolk and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Since we made the decision, we continue to be pleasantly surprised by more and more reasons why this was not only the right decision, it was the BEST decision we could ever have made. We could not be more proud to be a member of such a high class, thriving and friendly community.” — Paul Oppenheim, Vice President and General Manager

becker-solutions Corp., a German based hydraulic hose assembler and parts manufacturer, choose Chesapeake’s Riverwalk Commerce Center as the location for its first U.S. sales and distribution office.

Why Hampton Roads? “With a growing number of U.S. clients, I needed a location that could readily support not only our domestic distribution, but international as well. The region’s growing and dynamic international community, cost of living, infrastructure and ideal East Coast location provided the solution and ultimately led us to Chesapeake.” — Fabian Becker, President

Art Institute is a well renowned provider of creative and artistic related educational programs such as web design, video production, and culinary arts. The Virginia Beach campus located in Town Center will initially occupy 35,000 square feet and is designed to accommodate 2,000 students offering bachelor’s degrees in a wide variety of creative curriculums. Operated by Education Management Corp., Art Institute of Virginia Beach, one of 40 similar institutes across the country, is a branch of the Art Institute of Atlanta and is scheduled to begin classes in January 2010.

Why Hampton Roads? “The Art Institutes has a strong commitment to nourish and stimulate creativity in our students and we have historically been drawn to cities and regions that share an enthusiasm for the creative arts. Our decision to open a new Art Institutes location in Virginia Beach is no exception. We believe Hampton Roads has the services, businesses, industries and cultural venues to support our mission of education and professional development.” — John Mazzoni, President, The Art Institutes