Looking Ahead at Danville’s Future

2020 was a year unlike no other (thanks to the pandemic). Still, it also gave further evidence that the city is undergoing a remarkable transformation to a safe city with a diversified, modern economy. Consider the following events in 2020 (to name a few): The Police Department reported crime is down in most categories, and... Read More

Business, Cover Feature, Local

November 12, 2020

The Ever-Adapting World of Small Business

British entrepreneur James Caan said it best, “Nothing will replace the thrill of creating a profitable company from scratch.” From being the master of your own destiny, to being your own boss, to having an impact on your community, to watching what you’ve built become grown, entrepreneurs and small business owners have feelings like none... Read More

Business, Cover Feature, Entrepreneurship, Local

October 2, 2019

Welcome to the Dan River Region

An excerpt from Come Visit Our Town Danville-Pittsylvania County 2019 On behalf of the leaders and citizens of the Dan River Region, we cordially welcome you to Danville–Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Our two communities are united by the Dan River, and our leaders and citizens believe that we can have a global impact working collaboratively. This... Read More

Business, Community Strong, Local

June 18, 2018

Reality Check Part III: It’s all about the cash flow

All businesses are equal in the eyes of financial failure. Many people are under the false impression that well-established businesses are safe from any form of financial collapse; however, the reality is that all businesses are at risk of financial mishaps. Companies, large and small, are vulnerable. Likewise, just as easy as a company can... Read More

Business, Entrepreneurship, Local

May 9, 2018

Reality Check Part II: Starting a Business

If you haven’t read Part I, click here. So, this is it: you’re ready to start a business and you’ve already gone through an early assessment to make sure this is really what you want to do. Some of the early assessment includes: Determining if you’re ready for the full commitment Brainstorming your idea with... Read More

Business, Entrepreneurship

April 10, 2018

A Plan For Our Region’s Future

“I love it when a plan comes together.” That phrase was made famous in the 1980s on the television show, The A-Team. It’s also a great way to describe the latest major economic development project for the Danville-Pittsylvania County region: Panacea Biomatx, and how The Launch Place helped make it all happen. Last month, Governor... Read More

Business, Entrepreneurship, Local

March 12, 2018

The Launch Place Adds “IoT” Company to Portfolio

A new company joined the diverse portfolio of The Launch Place. Chapel Hill-based mesur.io, an internet of things (IoT) company that focuses on providing ag-based businesses with automated data tracking and analytics, received a $200,000 seed investment. This partnership makes mesur.io The Launch Place’s thirteenth venture since 2014. The Launch Place, a nonprofit investment group... Read More

Business, Entrepreneurship, Local

March 8, 2018

Reality Check: I’m Thinking of Starting My Own Business

Have you ever been out with friends and during your conversation, an idea comes to you? Maybe you’re lying in bed at night before falling asleep and a thought crosses your mind that you believe could be a great business. We’ve all heard the stories. Popular belief tells us that this is how most great... Read More

Business, Entrepreneurship, Local

February 21, 2018

The 2018 Rave Awards Hall of Fame Inductees

Gamewood Technology Group Gamewood Technology Group, Inc. has been serving Danville and surrounding areas and states, in different capacities, since 1983. Gamewood is a communications company that provides integrated technology services and solutions to residential and business customers. Gamewood’s many different product lines cover digital, analog, voice, data, video, security, and entertainment products. For both... Read More

Business, Local, People, Rave Awards Hall of Fame

February 21, 2018

Ken Larking: An Interview With Danville’s City Manager

Can you tell us a little about your background? Where you were born, grew up, etc. I was born in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, and moved to Calgary, Alberta, when I was around 10-years old. My family moved to New Jersey when I was around 11 and just outside Austin, Texas, two years later. We moved... Read More

Business, Community Strong, Local, People