Danville Field Notes: U.S. Navy shipbuilding program expands in Danville

Welcome back to Danville Field Notes, a new column where I round up news tidbits from the Danville-Pittsylvania area. If you missed my first column last week, you can find it here. And stay tuned for future editions of this column every Monday.

Early June feels like the heat of the summer so far here in Danville — something attendees at the Maritime Training Center ribbon-cutting last week understood all too well. The heat didn’t keep people away, though, as folks from all over the country came to celebrate the new facility.

You may also notice more ladybugs as you spend more time outside this summer or see the Danville Public Schools food trucks driving around town.

U.S. Navy shipbuilding workforce pipeline expands in Danville

A new facility will help the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program in Danville expand to reach its goal of graduating 1,000 workers a year.

The recently completed Maritime Training Center will be the new home for the ATDM program, which is the U.S. Navy’s shipbuilding workforce pipeline program in Danville.

Three people in white dress uniforms for the U.S. Navy walk into an outdoor ribbon cutting ceremony. — Members of the U.S. Navy attended the ribbon-cutting for the Maritime Training Center in Danville. Photo by Grace Mamon.

Danville officials were joined by leaders from the U.S. Navy, the Submarine Industrial Base and the U.S. Department of Defense for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 100,000-square-foot facility last week.

The ceremony was held outside the Maritime Training Center, which is on the campus of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

Since ATDM was founded in 2021, it has graduated 1,400 workers who have learned skills needed to repair, upfit and build submarines — and that are transferable to other defense industry jobs, according to a press release.

The new facility will be able to accommodate more students as the program scales up.

The Maritime Training Center is more than a building, said Sherman Saunders, a Danville city councilmember and vice chair of the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facilities Authority.

“It is a place where people will gain skills, build confidence and prepare for careers that matter, not only to their families and communities, but to our nation,” Saunders said at the ribbon-cutting.

A submarine sail stands outside on the concrete area outside the Maritime Training Center in Danville. — The USS Buffalo submarine was first commissioned in the 1980s and decommissioned in 2019. Photo by Grace Mamon.

The event also recognized two parts of decommissioned submarines that now stand outside of the Maritime Training Center: the sail of the USS Buffalo and the rudder of the USS Providence.

Retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Scott Pompano, who spoke at the ribbon-cutting, said he has many memories of the USS Buffalo, which was one of the five submarines he served aboard during his naval career.

The ribbon-cutting was part of a larger, day-long workforce forum event, which drew more than 300 attendees.

Ladybug release day comes to Danville

Danville was recognized in 2025 as a Bee City through Bee City USA, a certification program that supports pollinator conservation efforts in localities across the country.

Bees and other pollinators have declined in population because of habitat loss, the use of pesticides, parasites, diseases and climate change, according to the resolution to make Danville a Bee City.

Bee City USA provides localities with a framework to conserve native pollinators and their habitats.

“Danville’s involvement includes establishing pollinator gardens at city-managed locations, supporting local community groups in creating pollinator-friendly spaces, reducing pesticide usage, and organizing educational workshops and events focused on pollinator conservation,” according to the city’s website.

As part of this effort, the city is hosting a ladybug release day Friday.

“Participants will learn about the value of ladybugs in natural pest control and help release them into potted plants, hanging baskets and community pollinator gardens throughout the River District,” said a city release.

The program will be open to families at the Ruby B. Archie Public Library. An educational program will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a ladybug release at 6:30 p.m.

Then, a release program for adults will be held at 301 Tavern in the River District at 7:30 p.m.

After that, participants are encouraged to return to 301 Tavern “for an evening of fellowship and fun,” the release said.

“We hope you’ll join us for this fun and educational community event as we work together to promote healthier gardens, reduce pesticide use and support pollinator-friendly practices in Danville,” it said.

Those interested can register here.

Danville Public Schools to provide meals to students over the summer

With school officially out for the summer, several Danville Public Schools locations will offer meals for school children Monday through Thursday.

Meals — either dine-in or take-out — are offered to school children under 18 years of age at no cost.

The meals served and the dates of the program vary depending on the location. Read below for more details.

Times and locations:

Meals on the go at Westwood Middle and Schoolfield Elementary:
- Breakfast: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday
- Lunch: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday
- June 8-25
Meals on the go at Park Avenue Elementary, E.A. Gibson Elementary, Johnson Elementary, Woodberry Hills Elementary and George Washington High:
- Meals served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday
- June 8-July 23
Dine-in options at Westwood Middle, Arnett Hills Elementary and Schoolfield Elementary
- Breakfast: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday
- Lunch: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday
- June 29-July 23