News

Ground broken on shell building; Halifax County IDA leader calls it a ‘new era in economic development’
Only a small amount of dirt was unearthed Friday morning at a groundbreaking ceremony at the Southern Virginia Technology Park, but it was the beginning of something big for Halifax County. County officials, along with Halifax County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) staff and board members and project investors, all grabbed a shovel and...
Governor Northam Announces 92 New Jobs in Danville-Pittsylvania County
AeroFarms to build $42 million state-of-the art facility RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that AeroFarms® will invest $42 million to build their largest, most sophisticated indoor vertical farm to date in Cane Creek Centre, a joint industrial park for the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County. AeroFarms uses...
Amazon Web Services, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, and Danville Community College Collaborate on New Fusion Splicing Certificate Course
~ Course provides training on new hyperscale-grade fusion splicing techniques and equipment, career networking opportunities ~ RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Danville Community College hosted a Fusion Splicing Certificate Course, a collaborative training event with Amazon Web Services and Sumitomo Electric Lightwave that...
Appalachian Power Awards Grant To SVRA To Market The Southern Virginia Region
DANVILLE, Va., November 19, 2019 – The Southern Virginia Regional Alliance was one of nine organizations in Virginia and West Virginia awarded funding by Appalachian Power’s Economic Development Growth Enhancement (EDGE) program. The program is part of Appalachian Power’s ongoing effort to promote local and regional programs that attract industry...
Morgan Olson adding step van production facility in Virginia
Michigan-based walk-in van body manufacturer Morgan Olson is adding a new step van production facility in Danville VA. The company said the plant, expected to be operational by June 2020, will provide an additional 925,000 square feet of manufacturing space. “Morgan Olson walk-in step vans are in demand more than ever,” said Mike...

Governor Northam Announces 703 New Jobs in Danville-Pittsylvania County
~ Morgan Olson to invest $57.8 million to establish new walk-in step van assembly operation in former IKEA plant ~ DANVILLE—Governor Ralph Northam announced today that Morgan Olson, LLC, North America’s leading manufacturer of all-aluminum walk-in step vans, will invest $57.8 million to establish a new walk-in step van assembly operation in a...

Halifax County Cattleman and Farmer Michael McDowell Named 2019 Southeastern Farmer of the Year.
MOULTRIE, Ga. — Michael H. McDowell of Vernon Hill, Virginia has been selected as the overall winner of the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award for 2019. He is a fourth generation Halifax County farmer and cattleman who grows mixed grass hay, annual hay, and alfalfa and raises award-winning registered Angus...
Danville’s Averett University scores in the top rankings by U.S. News & World Report
Averett University continues to rank within the top 15 of the best regional liberal arts colleges in the South by U.S. News & World Report. Ranked as No. 15, the Danville university continues to be the highest ranking of only three Virginia schools from the complete list of 63 schools on the “2020 Best Regional Colleges in the South” list....
Southern Virginia Showcases Next-Level Manufacturing Talent Pipeline
Former textile stronghold has pivoted to fuel the future of advanced manufacturing THE GLOBALLY LAUDED COMEBACK STORY of Southern Virginia hinged on taking on a task that many communities attempted, but few have achieved: reinventing its workforce. For the City of Danville, Pittsylvania County, and the broader area flanking Virginia’s border with...
Halifax IDA names Roanoke resident as new executive director
Brian K. Brown, Roanoke resident and most recently employed as a market executive for real estate developers Countryside Service Company of Staunton, is the new executive director for the Industrial Development Authority of Halifax County. Acting on a motion offered by board member Nancy Pool, board members present at Friday’s meeting voted...