The Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism strives each and every day to make the City of Danville a great place to start a business, raise a family, and plant your roots; in 2025, that mission came to life in meaningful ways.
Building on the momentum of 2024, the region celebrated major industry announcements, more than 2,400 new jobs, expanded tourism initiatives, strengthened small business support, and award‑winning marketing efforts. Danville and Pittsylvania County were even recognized by the Virginia Tourism Corporation as the most visited tourism destination in 2024, a testament to the region’s growing visibility.
So, what made 2025 stand out?
Celebrating New Industries, New Opportunities
This year welcomed new investments, new faces, and new opportunities that helped shape the future of our region. WB Alloys announced a $6.6 million investment to expand their operations into Virginia; the facility will specialize in wire alloy production and create 30 new jobs. At the beginning of 2026, we also saw the expansion of Infinity Global, a local luxury packaging firm; their $34 investment will create 150 jobs.
The transformative $1.35 billion investment by Microporous, first announced in November 2024, continued to make headlines in 2025, being recognized by Area Development Magazine as Project of the Year. Corrie Bobe, Director, reflected, “This significant investment in the Southern Virginia Megasite marks a pivotal moment for Danville and the entire region, showcasing the tremendous potential of our advanced materials industry.”
Dan River Falls, the newly branded and reimagined historic White Mill, welcomed new tenants and new energy into its 550,000‑square‑foot space. The project earned two national Excellence in Economic Development Awards and the Brownfields People Choice Award, highlighting its impact as a model for adaptive reuse and community revitalization.
Infrastructure also moved forward with the groundbreaking of the Spring Street Parking Garage, a key addition that will support continued growth in the River District.
Caesars Virginia, first opened in December 2024, continued to break records, drawing visitors from across the region and contributing significantly to local tax revenue that directly supports community improvements, public amenities, and future development.
Empowering Small Businesses
The Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism not only looks to bring diverse industries and companies to our region; we also invest heavily in our small business owners and entrepreneurs. From boutiques to breweries and bistros, we recognize that these small businesses are the heart and soul of our community.
This past year, we held numerous workshops and trainings to meet our businesses where they are. Programs included Money Made Simple, a 6-week financial literacy class, Can You See Me Now: Marketing Workshop, Untapped Talent: Inclusive Hiring Workshop, customer service trainings, and the Southern Virginia Procurement & Business Resource Summit, in which over 150 business owners learned how to secure contracts with large industries and government agencies, explored funding opportunities and marketing strategies, and navigated the SWaM (Small, Women, and Minority-owned) business certification process.
A major new initiative was also kickstarted in 2025: Project Hispanic Horizons. Through research, community engagement activities, the work of three dedicated interns, and even a business mixer, data was collected to understand the demographics and needs of our Hispanic-owned small businesses. Moving forward, our office is committed to expanding translation services, improving access to marketing resources, and creating a more equitable environment for all entrepreneurs. This year, we are excited to broaden our reach through Project Black Business, an initiative dedicated to supporting and uplifting Black‑owned small businesses across the region.
Expanding Our Regional Reach
Beyond supporting residents and businesses, our office works to market Danville and Pittsylvania County as a premier travel destination through the regional tourism brand, Visit SoSi (“So Much to See, So Much to Do”).
This past year, we held a ribbon cutting on a newly renovated Visitor Center, located at 145 River Park Drive; these renovations include an updated layout, new technologies, and an expanded patio, designed to make the visitor’s experience much more memorable, encouraging visit after visit. The tourism team also strengthened regional engagement through website training opportunities, stakeholder meetings, reprints of visitor guides and maps, expanded marketing efforts, and a quarterly I Am Tourism ambassador workshop, where over 120 community members experienced the region through the eyes of a tourist.
The Road Ahead
In 2026 and beyond, our mission remains the same: to support the business owners, residents, and visitors who make Danville a vibrant place to live, work, and play. Whether you’re opening a business, raising a family, or discovering our region for the first time, we want to understand your needs and walk alongside you as a partner in Danville’s story.
Bobe states, “Our community is the foundation of everything we do. You are the reason Danville continues to grow, and your passion will carry this momentum into the years ahead.”
Learn more about our team and mission at www.discoverdanville.com.
Original article in Chatham Star Tribune Progress Edition 2026 (Hannah Toufas)