The Newport News Economic Development Authority works to connect businesses interested in starting, growing or expanding their presence in Newport News. The Design Review Committee is a working committees of the EDA and advises the EDA on physical matters related to specific businesses, business centers, and industrial parks in Newport News. The committee is comprised of EDA representatives and several Newport News citizens who have business backgrounds. Businesses that are considering building or expansion in the following locations may seek guidance from the Design Review Committee:

· City Center at Oyster Point
· Jefferson Center for Research and Technology
· Oakland Industrial Park
· Oyster Point of Newport News
· Patrick Henry CommerCenter

Businesses located in the specified areas seeking to erect or renovate signs, build new structures or additions, construct or reconfigure parking lots, or install, remove, or replace fencing, planting, or landscaping need to obtain approval from the EDA. Design Review Committee approval is the first step to achieving that consent. The Design Review Committee meets monthly to review and recommend action to the EDA on behalf of the business. This is in addition to the City’s plan and codes compliance review.

Project coordinators from the city’s Department of Development are available to assist businesses through these approval processes and may be contacted by phone at 926-8428 or by email designreview@nnva.gov.