Virginia Beach mayor highlights agriculture, military readiness and tourism in State of the City address

Mayor Bobby Dyer delivered the State of the City address in Virginia Beach, stressing three pillars—agriculture, military partnerships and tourism—as the foundation for the city’s growth and outlining major infrastructure and economic-development projects.

The speech opened with recognition of TowneBank, the event’s longtime presenting sponsor, and a tribute to community leaders. Mayor Bobby Dyer said the city will continue to prioritize the “people, places and partnerships” identified in the council’s strategic plan.

City officials detailed local economic figures and investments. City Manager Patrick Duhaney highlighted agriculture’s importance, saying the sector contributes an estimated $180,000,000 annually to the local economy and that the city preserves more than 11,000 acres through its agricultural reserve program. Duhaney also said the city awarded an Economic Development and Investment Program (EDIP) grant to NeptuneShield, a veteran-led defense technology firm, to expand its innovation facility.

Officials described projects intended to support military readiness and access. Duhaney said that drainage improvements along Colonial Road and Oceana Boulevard are designed to reduce flooding on a key corridor leading to Naval Air Station Oceana and that better drainage produces “safer roads, fewer closures, and uninterrupted access to the largest Navy jet base in the entire world.”

The address included an announcement about a planned Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic: Duhaney said the VA signed a 20-year lease for about 180,000 square feet of medical space near Norfolk Premium Outlets, projecting the facility would employ more than 600 people with expected construction costs of roughly $355,000,000 and a targeted opening in 2029. The mayor and city manager said the clinic’s funding was secured as part of federal veterans’ legislation approved by Congress in 2022.

On economic development, the mayor listed recent private-sector expansions and grants: a city grant to Vidar for a new Virginia headquarters (more than 16,000 square feet, nearly $3 million in expected capital investment and about 40 new jobs), expansion plans from local contractors and the opening of two Amazon facilities (a delivery station and a robotics fulfillment center) that add to the city’s industrial footprint.

Tourism and the resort-area economy were another focus. Officials noted Virginia Beach hosted more than 14,000,000 visitors and nearly $2.6 billion in visitor spending, and described investments in streetscape, pedestrian safety and public art projects in the oceanfront and Vibe Creative District. The mayor also promoted the upcoming Supergirl Festival, which organizers said is expected to draw nearly 250,000 attendees and more than 8,000 athletes in 2026.

On housing, Duhaney and the mayor referenced a recent attainable workforce housing performance grant launched with the Virginia Beach Development Authority; they said three affordable housing developments approved under the program will yield about 552 units. The mayor also recognized the school division—Virginia Beach City Public Schools—saying it serves nearly 65,000 students across 85 schools and citing a 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio.

Dyer closed the address by thanking city staff, military partners and civic volunteers, offering a remembrance for recently deceased local leader Barry Knight, and asking the audience to recognize honorees, including Don Horsley as the mayor’s 2026 Champion of Hope. He concluded with, “God bless Virginia Beach. And God bless America.”

The address was ceremonial and did not include formal council votes; city officials said the projects described are at various stages of planning, permitting and funding. The city did not announce specific council actions or vote tallies during the presentation.