HII signs $900 million in shipbuilding robotics deals
Plus, sub contract and employee referral bonuses; Ferguson shares dividend; student well-being and youth career program grads; Oyster Day video
HII announced long-term production agreements with Path Robotics and GrayMatter Robotics, its partners in the High-Yield Production Robotics program. The performance-based deals could bring the two companies up to $900 million in shipbuilding work over seven years, contingent on meeting technology and manufacturing milestones. The agreements aim to speed up automated welding, grinding, painting, and inspection processes across Navy programs including carriers, submarines, destroyers, and unmanned vessels, supporting HII’s broader push to expand distributed shipbuilding capacity.
Colonna’s Shipyard signs multi-year Navy fabrication deal with NNS Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc. announced a multi-year agreement with HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding for structural component fabrication supporting U.S. Navy nuclear shipbuilding programs, Maritime Executive reports. CEO Randall Crutchfield said the distributed shipbuilding partnership gives CSI predictable workload and supports facility expansion and workforce training. The deal could extend through 2030, though financial terms were not disclosed. Work will draw on CSI’s Kentucky and Norfolk operations, which have already supported Navy programs including the carriers CVN 78 and CVN 80.
Newport News Shipbuilding revamps its employee referral hiring program Newport News Shipbuilding launched an improved Employee Referral Program aimed at recruiting experienced candidates. HR vice president Xavier Beale said the company urgently needs skilled hires who can contribute immediately. The Talent Acquisition team simplified the process, requiring shipbuilders to email a referral with the candidate’s name and job requisition number, then having the candidate apply online to an eligible position. Acting Talent Acquisition director Cindi Wolfe noted that some of the best hires come from employees who already know the company’s culture.
In other news:
Business
Ferguson declares $0.89 quarterly dividend for shareholders Ferguson Enterprises’ Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.89 per share on its common stock. Shareholders of record as of August 21, 2026 will receive the payout on October 7, 2026. Holders of Depositary Interests have until September 10, 2026 to make their currency election. Ferguson is North America’s largest distributor of water and air solutions for construction professionals, with $31.3 billion in sales and about 35,000 associates across more than 1,700 locations.
Education
Newport News Youth Career Program Celebrates 2026 Graduation Class Newport News TV shared a video about the 2026 graduation for the city’s Youth Career Program, celebrating the accomplishments of participating students. The program provides career development opportunities and training to young people in the community.
Christopher Newport University Presents Fear to Hope 2026 Program Christopher Newport University posted a video on Fear to Hope 2026, showcasing the university’s commitment to supporting student well-being and fostering resilience within the campus community.
Christopher Newport University Invites High School Students to Theatre Major Thursday Experience Christopher Newport University announces Theatre Major Thursday events designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in studying theatre. According to the university, participating students can shadow current theatre majors in their area of interest, sit in on classes, and discuss the program throughout the day. The experience concludes with complimentary attendance at a production in the Ferguson Center for the Arts. The events are scheduled for November 12, 2026, February 18, 2027, and March 18, 2027, providing multiple opportunities for prospective students and their families to explore what being a theatre student at Christopher Newport involves.
Newport News Shipbuilding mentors students through Sweet Briar engineering series Newport News Shipbuilding sent representatives to Sweet Briar College, a small private liberal arts college in Sweet Briar, Virginia, as part of an effort to build its future talent pipeline through the school’s Engineering Lunch & Learn series, a student-led program that the campus chapter of the Society of Women Engineers runs. The shipbuilder’s involvement helps address its ongoing hiring needs by giving students direct access to industry professionals, with past participants going on to secure internships, job offers, and graduate school opportunities through these campus connections.
Community & Services
Hampton Roads communities participate in 29th annual Mayor’s Cup Blood Drive through August 30 Residents across Hampton Roads can help save lives by donating blood through August 30 as part of the 29th annual Mayor’s Cup Blood Drive, as announced by the City of Newport News. The regional competition, held in partnership with American Red Cross, encourages community members to represent their city while supporting a critical healthcare need. Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones notes that each donation can save up to three lives, with blood products used daily for emergency treatment, surgeries, cancer care, and chronic illness treatment. Last year, Newport News donors collected 265 units of blood, potentially helping 795 patients, while all participating localities contributed 1,973 units. Donors will receive various incentives throughout the summer, including gift cards and promotional items. Residents can schedule appointments and select their city to contribute to their locality’s total.
Public Safety
NNPD Officer Walker Shares Path to Police Service in Running Code The Newport News Police Department shared a video exploring the professional journey of Officer Kahlia Walker in the 57th episode of their Running Code podcast series. Walker, who joined the department in 2025, discusses how she came to pursue a career in law enforcement despite initial hesitations from her family.
Newport News Prepares to Launch FY27 Safer Communities Grant Program The City of Newport News Office of Community Safety is preparing to launch the FY27 Safer Communities Grant Program, as announced on the city website. The program is designed to strengthen community-based violence prevention, intervention, healing, and engagement efforts that align with the Momentum for Peace, Comprehensive Community Safety Plan. The office will host two information sessions in August 2026 for interested applicants, including a virtual Grants 101 session on August 12 and a logic model workshop on August 19. The grant program supports a public health approach to reducing violence and enhancing community well-being across Newport News, with the application portal expected to open at the end of August.
Newport News Fire Department to host free community fire safety event The Newport News Fire Department is hosting a free Fire Prevention Showcase on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Huntington Park. The three-hour, all-ages event lets attendees meet firefighters and specialty teams, view fire engine displays, watch specialty team presentations, take part in educational activities, and get photo opportunities. Free parking will be available, and the event is open to the public at no cost.
Recreation & Events
Newport News hosts Washington Oyster Day celebration Newport News hosted Washington Oyster Day, bringing the community together to celebrate the area’s significant oyster industry and waterfront culture. The event highlighted the historical importance of oyster harvesting to the region’s economy and identity.
Christopher Newport University Announces 2026-2027 Theatre and Dance Season Christopher Newport University’s Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance has announced its upcoming slate of productions:
“The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui”: a Brechtian satire following a depression-era gangster who uses corruption, bribery, and violence to dominate the vegetable trade, with performances in the Studio Theater on November 13, 14, 20, and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and matinees on November 15 and 22 at 2:00 p.m. in 2026, as announced by the university.
One-Act Play Festival: featuring student directors, designers, and actors working alongside guest artists, on December 3 and 4, 2026, at 7:00pm in the Studio Theater, as announced by the university.
Tony Award-winning mystery musical: celebrating themes of connection and belonging, at Peebles Theatre from February 19 through 26, 2027, in partnership with Virginia Stage Company, as announced by the university.
18th Annual Dance Concert: showcasing tap, ballet, jazz, modern, Afro-Caribbean, and musical theatre choreography by students, faculty, and guest artists, on March 18 and 19, 2027, at 7:00 p.m. at Peebles Theatre, as announced by the department.
“Now to Ashes”: the world premiere of a new theatrical production written by TheatreCNU alumni that follows four abolitionist women and draws parallels between a polarized period in American history and contemporary times, staged in partnership with Hampton University Theatre at Studio Theater on April 9, 10, 16, and 17 at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on April 11 and 18 at 2:00 p.m. in 2027, as announced by the university.
Tickets across the season are free for students, with general admission priced at $14 and discounted rates of $9 for seniors and university faculty and staff.
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