Danville, Va is a city of more than 42,000 located in south-central Virginia region on the fall line of the Dan River. It’s location has played a role in its history, including its early dominance in tobacco and textile production and strategic positioning in the civil war and early rail line prominence. Today, it is within a day’s drive of two thirds of the nation’s population.
With the decline of tobacco, textile and rail the community of Danville actively engaged in a strategic revitalization of the community transforming into a vibrant hub of economic, education, recreation and cultural activity. Danville’s priority on “sense of place” has highlighted the award winning River District project that has included: the repurposing of tobacco warehouses, nearly 1,000 housing units in the downtown area, and the expansion of University presence. These comprehensive process has not only given new life to physical space, but has also stimulated economic growth throughout the region.
Twenty five years after the initial start of the project, its economic impact can be felt. It has resulted in:
- the creation and retention of 623 jobs,
- the establishment of 146 new or expanded businesses, and
- $113 million in private investment
- $6 million in public investment from the State of Virginia