Central Virginia offers unparalleled transportation opportunities to get you anywhere in the world with ease. Centrally located on the East Coast of the United States, the region's integrated transportation system of highways, railroads, airports and seaports ensures that you can reach every one of your markets and get shipments from suppliers more efficiently.

The Rolls-Royce Crosspointe Centre complex is conveniently located within a 2 ½ hour drive from Washington Dulles International Airport and within one hour’s drive of The Port of Virginia.
The Port of Virginia offers world-class shipping facilities and a schedule of approximately 3,000 sailings annually to over 250 ports in 100 foreign countries.

The future of Aerospace in central Virginia is closely linked to the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) and the Commonwealth Center for Aerospace Propulsion Systems (CCAPS)—innovative collaborations between Rolls-Royce, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the University of Virginia (UVA) and Virginia Tech (VT).

CCAM:

• A dedicated research and technology center of excellence founded by Rolls-Royce, the Commonwealth of Virginia, UVA and VT.
• Located on the new Rolls-Royce's site at the Crosspointe Centre in central Virginia.
• The vision for CCAM is to become a world-class research facility delivering a step change in design and manufacturing technologies.
• Based on existing Rolls-Royce research facilities such as the Advanced Manufacturing Research Center (AMRC) in Sheffield and the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) in Glasgow.
• Builds on the existing strengths of UVA and VT and integrates experience and academics from across engineering and business related subjects.
• Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing website.

CCAPS:

• A further collaboration between Rolls-Royce, UVA and VT creating a virtual research and technology center of excellence dedicated to increasing technical capabilities in defined areas.
• The vision for CCAPS is to build on the existing strengths of the university partners to create a research center that will advance the boundaries of propulsion systems.
• Under the guidance of Rolls-Royce as a world-class power systems provider, CCAPS will explore break-through concepts for creating more efficient and effective propulsion solutions.
• Operate from existing facilities on UVA and VT campuses.

In addition to the input of UVA and VT through CCAM and CAPS, the Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA) and the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) are committed to supporting the future of Aerospace in central Virginia by providing educational programs for current and future employees that enhance marketplace knowledge, skills and abilities.

The CCWA is a partnership between J. Sargeant Reynolds and John Tyler Community Colleges with the goal of supporting central Virginia businesses and their global economic competitiveness. The CCWA responds rapidly and effectively to meet the needs of business and industry through its adaptable offering of job fairs, assessments and training, be that on campus or even at a work site.

Special certificate and technical degree programs are being established to support the emerging Aerospace industry in central Virginia. Pre-employment and plant start-up training will be customized for each employer. The range of topics in these fast track instructional areas is varied—from team building, diversity, and effective supervision, to safety, manufacturing processes, computer skills and statistical process control. Specialized workshops also can be developed for your individual needs.

The entire community college system has committed to work closely with Rolls-Royce and the Aerospace industry to identify any specific additional certificate or degree programs or customized training programs that might contribute to further development of the Aerospace workforce needed to support project activities in central Virginia.

Additional Links:
Virginia Department of Business Assistance (VDBA)
Virginia Employment Commission (VEC)

With the obvious relationship between the Aerospace and Defense industries, central Virginia is already at a huge advantage. The region is situated directly between the Defense and homeland security concentrations in Washington, DC and Hampton Roads. Imagine the contract opportunities.

Virginia is a leading Department of Defense (DOD) State number one in the nation in total personnel and second only to California in DOD military personnel.

In 2007, Virginia received the second highest amount of U.S. Department of Defense Prime Contracts ($33.5 billion) behind California.

Central Virginia has long been known as a manufacturing hub with area companies that already supply the Aerospace industry, particularly in the advanced materials sector. The Aerospace industry is an emerging cluster with great potential for the future. Isn't it time you took a closer look at central Virginia?

Central Virginia offers:

• Pro-business operating climate
• Superior intermodal transportation system
• Competitive cost of doing business
• Stable and competitive taxes
• World-class higher education system
• A highly-skilled, well-educated and motivated labor force
• Right-to-work law allowing individuals the right to work regardless of membership in a labor union or organization
• Abundant utilities
• Excellent quality of life

Current aviation related industries in the region:

• Spec Ops
• Praxair
• Rolls-Royce North America
• DuPont
• Honeywell
• RBR Tactical Armor
• Northrop Grumman
• Jewett Industries