Our communities are low-income, distressed neighborhoods within the seven cities we call Hampton Roads -- Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Chesapeake: In 1963, the city of South Norfolk and the rural region of Norfolk County merged to become the new city of Chesapeake, Virginia. While that means Chesapeake was incorporated less than four decades ago, the city shares with the rest of Hampton Roads in a historical heritage as rich as any in the country, beginning nearly four centuries ago.


Hampton: With a population of about 140,000, the city's location has the advantage of being midway between two Hampton Roads tourism meccas -- Williamsburg and Virginia Beach.  Hampton is well known as the home of NASA Langley Research Center, the Hampton Coliseum concert venue and Hampton University.  Locals know about the city's more subtle charms: several beaches that remain relatively uncrowded, the beautiful downtown waterfront, and the historic area of Phoebus, newly street-caped to highlight the quaint shops.


Newport News: The City of Newport News sits on a prime vantage point where the James River meets the Chesapeake Bay. The City runs approximately 25 miles along the James River and the Hampton Roads Harbor.  Since the turn of the 19th century, Newport News has been known as the provider of the nation's finest, technologically advanced military ships.  In more recent years, Newport News has also become a center for international commerce, research and technology.  The City's historic sites, museums and cultural facilities compliment the quality of life for Newport News residents and businesses.


Norfolk:  A city of more than 241,000 residents and more than 100 diverse neighborhoods, Norfolk is the cultural, educational, business and medical center of Hampton Roads.  It hosts the region's international airport and is one of the busiest international ports on the East Coast of the United States.


Portsmouth: Nearly three centuries ago, captains of the sea knew what today's captains of industry are discovering – the advantages of the charming maritime city of Portsmouth, Virginia. Portsmouth's small-town atmosphere is a pleasant contrast to its metropolitan Hampton Roads location.  Tree-lined streets lead toward the picturesque downtown waterfront – the center of the city's many activities, and its heart.


Suffolk:  As Virginia's largest city, Suffolk is 430 square miles of rich land with woods, lakes, rivers, and rolling terrain - not to mention wise development and the use of it - that make this area bountiful for residents and businesses alike.  Suffolk's schools and parks, neighborhoods, health care facilities and utilities help create a successful community.  In fact, some of the region's most prosperous companies already call Suffolk home.  And the great potential for growth is attracting many new businesses and employees.


Virginia Beach: Since the merger of Princess Anne County and the resort town of Virginia Beach in 1963, the City of Virginia Beach has enjoyed a steady rate of growth in population as well as visitors.  The 2000 Census indicates a Virginia Beach population of 425,257.  Four military installations in Virginia Beach--Oceana Naval Air Station, Little Creek, Fort Story, and Dam Neck - make the city a vital presence on the national and international map.
 

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