Yesterday afternoon City and Newport News Shipbuilding officials joined developer Southeast Commerce Center Associates, LLC in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new office building in the Southeast Community of Newport News. Construction will begin soon on the 95,000 square-foot office building in Brooks Crossing and is expected to be completed next year. Newport News Shipbuilding will occupy the top three floors of the building (approximately 80,000 square feet), where it plans to house nearly 600 engineering and design jobs. The Newport News Economic Development Authority will lease the remaining 15,000 square feet on the first floor, utilizing the space for several new ventures including workforce development activities, STEM education and entrepreneurial initiatives.