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South Hill grant aims to boost business district
South Hill merchants figured out ways to keep business going during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, introducing Facebook Live videos from downtown stores that helped people shop from home, then pick up their treasures curbside. Sometimes featuring a rescue dog named Duncan, the videos have continued even as restrictions are rolled back. Now, the
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Telly Tucker named IALR’s first president
Tucker leaves Arlington to return to Danville
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Telly Tucker, Arlington County’s economic development director since 2020, will become the first president of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) on May 31, the Danville-based institute announced Tuesday. Tucker’s return to Danville is a return to his past. The Lynchburg native served as the city’s economic development director before heading to Arlington
Caesars Virginia names Danville casino contractor
Whiting-Turner to build $500M casino
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Caesars Virginia has named Baltimore-based Whiting-Turner as the general contractor to build its $500 million resort and casino in Danville, Caesars Entertainment announced Monday. The resort will have a 500-guestroom hotel, a casino with more than 1,400 slot machines and table games, a Caesars sportsbook and a World Series of Poker-branded poker room. It will
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AeroFarms plants roots in Cane Creek Centre
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AeroFarms won’t harvest the first crops at its new Cane Creek Centre facility until summer, but the company is already expanding. In December 2019, the Newark, New Jersey-based indoor agriculture company announced it would invest $42 million and create 92 jobs in the 136,000-square-foot facility building in the industrial park owned by Danville and Pittsylvania
Davenport Energy promotes Harold Thornton to president
Thornton has been with company 27 years
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Chatham-based Davenport Energy Inc. has promoted Harold E. “Hal” Thornton Jr. to president, the company announced Tuesday. Thornton has been with Davenport, a provider of gas, diesel fuel propane and petroleum products, for 27 years. He was initially hired as human resources director in 1995, rising through the ranks to supervisory and management positions. Most
ODU and IALR to launch manufacturing engineering tech degree
ODU to offer 4-year degree on Norfolk campus and IALR satellite campus
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Old Dominion University will launch Virginia’s first four-year degree in manufacturing engineering technology (MfgET) at its Norfolk campus and a satellite campus at The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville, the university announced Thursday. “This partnership reinforces Old Dominion University’s commitment to workforce development and leadership in the maritime industry,” ODU President
Danville Pittsylvania Chamber names next CEO
Anne Moore-Sparks to succeed Ehrhardt
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A familiar face will take the helm of the Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce in April. Anne Moore-Sparks will serve as the chamber’s next president and CEO, the chamber announced Monday. “Anne is well known in the community and will bring her connections and strong interpersonal skills to the Chamber,” John Settle, chair of the
ValleyStar Credit Union names 3 new execs
Barnes, Shaffer and Sparrow all promoted
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Martinsville-based ValleyStar Credit Union has named three new executives to its leadership team. Justin Barnes will be the credit union’s chief lending officer, Mendy Shaffer will be interim chief financial officer, and Robert Sparrow will be chief risk officer. Barnes began his financial services career in 1999 and has spent 23 years in lending, according
Big bird
Tyson Foods brings $300 million plant to Pittsylvania
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In August 2021, Tyson Foods Inc., one of the world’s largest food companies, announced it will invest $300 million to establish a 325,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Pittsylvania County, creating 376 full-time jobs. Just two months later, Tyson broke ground on the project at Cane Creek Centre, an industrial park just outside Danville that’s jointly owned
Making headway
Industrial interest blossoms across region
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Corporate investments are on the upswing in Southern Virginia, along with a desire to increase production, says Linda Green, executive director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance. “People have a lot of pent-up demand, and companies are responding to that,” she says. “We have lots of interest and activity.” Companies are choosing Southern Virginia for