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RICHMOND, VA — Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today that LS Cable & System Ltd. (“LS C&S”), a global leader in power and communication cable and system solutions, announced today plans for a significant additional investment in Chesapeake, Virginia. Undertaken through three LS C&S subsidiaries, the $689 million project is expected to be the single largest capital investment in the history of the Hampton Roads region and create over 430 new jobs.  

In addition to job creation, this project will create a new and growing domestic supply chain for magnetic copper wire and rare earth magnets that bypasses the monopoly of Chinese suppliers. This is a strategic investment by one of America’s most ardent allies to ensure reliable and consistent production of our national defense munitions. These products are used in America’s most advanced weapons systems like the Javelin missile, F-35 fighter jet, nuclear submarines and unmanned aerial systems (UAV). Alongside increased national security, this investment ensures Americans are able to benefit from the increased demand for these materials from the energy and manufacturing sectors. LS C&S’s new manufacturing complex, which will feature advanced manufacturing capabilities across three key business lines:

• Copper rod production utilizing copper recycling and smelting,
• Magnet wire manufacturing to support automotive and industrial markets, and
• Rare-earth magnet production, essential for electric motors and advanced weapons systems 

“Thank you to LS Cable & System for choosing Virginia again. Today’s announcement demonstrates that Virginia is leading the nation in reshoring American manufacturing and securing the critical supply chains that power and protect our country,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “LS GreenLink has already brought hundreds of millions of dollars to Hampton Roads, and these three projects from LS Cable & System will build on that momentum. Now more than ever on the geopolitical stage, access to copper smelting and rare earth minerals tied to our targeting systems that our military uses need to be made here in this country. I’m proud that Virginia is partnering with LS C&S to strengthen American manufacturing, create great jobs, and build a stronger, more secure future for the Commonwealth and our nation.”

This investment builds on the previously announced first phase of LS GreenLink USA’s state-of-the-art cable manufacturing and pier facility project, which broke ground in April 2025. While separate from the LS GreenLink project, the new initiative expands the company’s overall presence in the United States and reinforces LS C&S’s long-term commitment to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the City of Chesapeake, and the Hampton Roads region. Together, these efforts strengthen U.S. energy infrastructure, enhance supply chain resilience, and support national security priorities.

“With three exciting projects in Chesapeake, LS Cable & System is poised to transform America’s tech manufacturing supply chain,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura. “Securing these supply chains does more than ensure smooth manufacturing timelines; it helps safeguard our national security. LS C&S’s continued investment in the Commonwealth shows that when government moves at the speed of business, big things can happen quickly.”

“This investment represents an exciting step in our continuing growth in the United States,” said LS C&S President and CEO Bon-Kyu Koo. “We’re not only expanding our manufacturing capabilities, we’re strengthening the U.S. domestic supply chains and supporting America’s leadership in energy and technology. By continuing partnerships with the Commonwealth of Virginia, the City of Chesapeake, and the Hampton Roads region, we’re creating opportunities for the local community while helping to ensure secure, reliable infrastructure that supports national security and the nation’s energy future.”

“The LS GreenLink project has been a major commitment for LS C&S, and this new investment builds directly on that foundation,” said LS C&S Regional President of North America Gisu Kim. “It strengthens domestic production of critical components such as copper rod, magnet wire, and rare-earth magnets, vital to reinforcing supply chain resilience and advancing U.S. energy independence.”

“This investment represents much more than expanding our manufacturing footprint in Chesapeake,” said LS C&S Managing Director Patrick Shim. “We are deepening our partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, the City of Chesapeake, and the Hampton Roads region as we build capabilities that strengthen U.S. energy leadership, secure critical supply chains, and support industries essential to the nation’s security and future.”

Founded in 1962, LS Cable & System Ltd. is a global leader in power and communication cables and systems. With over 6,500 employees and 40 subsidiaries in 17 countries, LS Cable & System continues to drive innovation in energy transmission and distribution.

“Congratulations to LS Cable & System and the entire LS Group on another major investment in Chesapeake,” said Hampton Roads Alliance President and CEO Douglas L. Smith. “The Hampton Roads Alliance is proud to support LS Group and to work alongside the City of Chesapeake as the company advances its commitment to expand U.S. power grid infrastructure. This investment aligns directly with the Hampton Roads Playbook, which prioritizes defense, energy, aerospace, and logistics. Energy security is national security, and projects like this further solidify Hampton Roads as a global energy leader.”

“Today’s announcement marks a major milestone for Chesapeake, the Commonwealth, and the nation in advancing domestic manufacturing,” said Chesapeake Mayor Rick West. “The decision by LS Cable & System to build its new facilities in our community demonstrates the confidence they have not only in Chesapeake’s talented workforce and strong business environment, but also in our commitment to helping businesses succeed here. This investment is LS Cable’s second major project in Chesapeake and elevates our city’s status as a leader in the nation’s clean energy and electrification future, bringing $689 million in new investment and more than 400 high-paying jobs. We value LS Cable’s ongoing partnership and friendship with the City of Chesapeake, and we look forward to building on that relationship in the years ahead.” 

“LS Cable’s $689 million investment solidifies Chesapeake’s position as a premier destination for advanced manufacturing,” said Chesapeake Economic Development Director Steven Wright. “The establishment of new facilities for magnet wire and sintered rare-earth magnets production will provide much-needed support for U.S. supply chains for emerging mobility technologies and modern energy systems. This project will bring skilled jobs to Chesapeake and will strengthen the long-term industrial competitiveness of our region.”

“The Port of Virginia is ready to support LS Cable & System’s strategic investment in Chesapeake,” said Port of Virginia CEO and Executive Director Stephen A. Edwards. “Advanced manufacturing facilities like LS Cable not only strengthen Virginia’s role in global trade but will help accelerate innovation in the electric vehicle industry. The Port of Virginia is a 21st-century port complex that will provide LS Cable the supply chain efficiency, consistency and connectivity needed to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Chesapeake, the Hampton Roads Alliance, and The Port of Virginia to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a $7.3 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Chesapeake with the project. The Governor also approved a performance-based grant of $1.5 million from the Virginia Investment Performance Grant, an incentive that encourages continued capital investment by existing Virginia companies. The company is eligible to receive benefits from The Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program.

Support for LS C&S’s job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, ranked the No. 1 workforce training program in the United States by Business Facilities for the third consecutive year and by Area Development in 2025. The program, created by VEDP in collaboration with higher education partners, provides world-class training and recruitment solutions that are customized to a company’s unique operations, equipment, standards and culture. All program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation.

Published December 12, 2025

CAPTION: Champions of the DevDays HealthTech Challenge, Yukta Karki, SianRose Vincent, and Nirjara KC, pictured with their faculty advisor, Prasanthi Sreekumari, awarded $5,000 prize. 

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MONROE, La. – The ULM Department of Computer Science is proud to announce that a student team has
won the DevDays HealthTech Challenge, hosted by Nexus Louisiana in partnership with
Ochsner Health. Kneva, the winning team composed of computer science students Yukta
Karki, SianRose Vincent, and Nirjara KC, was awarded a $5,000 prize at the competition
in Baton Rouge on November 14.  

The DevDaysChallenge attracted 160 students from 11 Louisiana universities who submitted 45
innovative solutions, addressing issues ranging from athlete safety to carbon management.  

Kneva is an innovative health technology platform focused on addressing a long-overlooked
crisis in sports medicine: female athletes face up to eight times greater risk of
experiencing a catastrophic ACL injury. This groundbreaking project aims to end the
era of compromise in women’s sports by delivering technology and insights that support
safer performance and long-term athletic health.  

The system unifies two critical data points, hormonal fluctuations and biomechanical
movement, to predict elevated injury risk and deliver real-time, micro-adjusted training
feedback. A wearable knee sensor monitors movement patterns, while the platform maps
an athlete’s menstrual cycle to identify when they are more susceptible to injury,
creating a personalized, adaptive approach to performance and injury prevention. 

Team Kneva shared that the competition affirmed their mission to build injury-prevention
tools that truly reflect the physiology and experiences of female athletes—not systems
retrofitted from male data.   

“I was raised in a world shaped by strong women, and Kneva lets me pour that energy
into a platform that finally acknowledges and supports female athletes,” said KC.
“Leading the research and development for our ACL prevention prototype proved that
innovation is iterative, and this win fuels our next chapter. We’re excited to take
on the engineering challenges needed to move from concept to a production-ready solution.” 

The six-week competition brought together student teams from across the state to confront
a real and pressing sports medicine issue. “DevDays is about putting our state’s brightest
minds on our state’s hardest problems,” said Tony Zanders, President and CEO of Nexus
Louisiana. “The quality of ideas we saw reflects the strength of the talent emerging
from Louisiana’s universities and the value of connecting that talent to real industry
needs.” 

As the presenting partner, Ochsner Health emphasized the importance of strengthening
pathways between students and industry. “DevDays shows what happens when we give young
people real problems to solve and the room to innovate boldly. These students aren’t just
imagining the future of sports medicine — they’re building it. I’m proud that Ochsner
is helping open doors, strengthen pathways, and champion the next generation of Louisiana
talent,” said Christy Reeves, Vice President, Network Development and Government Relations
at Ochsner Health. 

“We are extremely proud of all the students who participated in the competition. Their
dedication, passion, and perseverance showcase the strength and spirit of our department,”
said Dr. Prasanthi Sreekumari, Program Chair of the ULM Computer Science Department
and Associate Professor of Computer Science.  

“Kneva’s victory is a powerful validation of their mission and the impact their work
can have on the future of sports medicine,” added Sreekumari. 

“The team would like to thank Dr. Sreekumari for her guidance throughout the development
of Kneva. We also extend our thanks to Dr. Paul Wiedemeier and Dr. Paul Rojas for
providing the resources and support we needed to bring this project to life,” said
KC.  

Team Kneva’s win marks the second victory for a ULM Computer Science team at DevDays this
year. Carbon Horizon won the Nexus DevDays ClimateTech Challenge in October 2025.
Read more about their win at https://www.ulm.edu/news/2025/comp_science_devdays_111125.html 

About Nexus Louisiana DevDays 

Nexus Louisiana’s mission is to accelerate the growth of high-potential technology-enabled
companies by providing them with coaching, capital, and connections. Their programs leverage regional
collaboration to foster mentorship, investment, and opportunity for local entrepreneurs
to grow their ideas and transform the technology industry in Louisiana. 

DevDays are one-of-a-kind events that fuse technology, competition, and Louisiana’s
legendary football pride. Over six weeks, participants tackle real-world challenges
from leading industries and bring their solutions to life in an impactful, one-day
demo event in Baton Rouge. 

Nexus Louisiana has confirmed that DevDays will return next year with new challenges
and expanded collaboration opportunities.  

For more information, please visit https://nexusla.org/devdays.