Navy bringing jobs to Suffolk

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The Navy is moving 1,500 jobs from Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story to Suffolk.

Suffolk's Joint Staff Hampton Roads, formerly Joint Forces Command is where the new workers will conduct cyber security operations. 

Some 1,500 civilians, defense contractors and enlisted personnel are expected to relocated from Little Creek to Suffolk in September.

"We ended up losing about 1,200 positions in northern Suffolk. We have 1,500 coming now within two years -high paying jobs, the type of jobs we like to do and there'll be ripple effects for our retailers, our hotels and for the folks that will be moving out here as well," Suffolk Economic Development Director Kevin Hughes told WAVY.com.

District manager of nearby Firehouse Subs Thomas Pingitore told WAVY.com he is excited about the boost he and other businesses could get from the new employees.

"To hear more jobs are coming to the area is really positive," Pingitore said. "It's going to be a big boost to local businesses. We have more restaurants coming... it's a good, healthy competition."

Defense cuts in 2010 disestablished JFCOM, slashing 1,200 of its 2,400 jobs and containing those workers in one building. 

The two other buildings on the site will now house the new workers. Renovations are ongoing for cyber security operations.

The following commands are relocating from Little Creek to Suffolk:

• Navy Cyber Forces
• Naval Network Warfare Command
• Naval Network Warfare Command Global Network Operations Center Detachment
• Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command