Hello and welcome back to Danville Field Notes, where I give you a snapshot of some smaller news items in the Southside Region every Monday.
Read below to learn about two pilot programs, one for data science and one for downtown music; a new fund to make improvements at a local relief center; and a decision by the county planning commission for an under-construction micro-resort.
Southside is a big region, and there’s only one of me, so as always, let me know if there’s anything you think I should write about soon! Reach out at grace@cardinalnews.org.
What’s inside
BWXT workers graduate from data science pilot program
A program to teach new skills to workers at BWX Technologies, a Lynchburg-based manufacturer, graduated 12 students Wednesday.
BWXT, which builds naval nuclear reactors for submarines and aircraft carriers, wanted more than a pre-existing “cookie-cutter” workforce development program, said Jon Okert, director of operations at the company.
The company already had a relationship with Danville’s Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, which, among other things, specializes in workforce development programs. Together, IALR and BWXT created a 12-week program to “transform engineers and technical professionals into capable data science practitioners,” according to a release from IALR.
A dozen employees, from data scientists to machinists, were selected to participate in the program to learn to write code, adapt AI to real-world problems and use technology to solve BWXT-relevant challenges.
The program will allow BWXT to build data science capability within its existing workforce and accelerate the adoption of AI, the release said.
“You are our investment,” Okert said to the students who participated in the 288-hour program while still working their full-time jobs.
BWXT and IALR plan to continue the program with another cohort of students in the future.
Community Foundation partners with nonprofit focused on homelessness, housing instability
The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is partnering with a local nonprofit to fund capital improvements and renovations.
The Temporary Relief and Counseling Center is housed at the Redemption Center Church on Shelton Street in Danville. The organization provides services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability and economic hardship.
This includes emergency food assistance and community meals, seasonal clothing distribution and hygiene supplies, warming and cooling center space during extreme weather, housing navigation and landlord connection, counseling, and employment and workforce readiness support.
The Community Foundation, which was founded in 1996 and awards grants to local organizations, announced a partnership with TRCC on Tuesday.
The organizations have created a fund to receive fundraising contributions for capital improvements, both now and in the future, at TRCC.
The campaign will construct shower facilities, develop a commercial kitchen and expand TRCC’s ability to provide life-changing services, a Tuesday news release said.
The estimated cost for this work is $250,000. TRCC hopes to see the work completed by Nov. 1, ahead of the winter warming shelter demands, said the Rev. Willis Ferrell, TRCC’s volunteer director.
“No federal, state or local government funding is being used for this project. The success of this effort depends entirely upon the generosity of foundations, businesses, churches, civic organizations and individual donors who share our commitment to serving our most vulnerable neighbors,” Willis said in the release.
Donations can be made online by visiting the Community Foundation’s website, clicking “Give Today” and then typing “TRCC Fund” into the fund catalog, or by clicking “Donate Now” and scrolling through the fund list. Donors can also mail a check to the foundation’s office at 541 Loyal St., Danville, VA 24541 with TRCC Fund in the memo field.
Pittsylvania planning commission denies variance request for micro-resort
In November, the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a rezoning request to turn about 18.5 acres in the Dry Fork area of the county into a micro-resort.
Since then, Bethann James, who is behind the project, has been working to create Echo Valley — a small, nature-focused resort that will offer glamping in geodesic domes, gardening and other outdoor activities.
Last week, the county’s planning commission voted unanimously to recommend denial for a request to make Echo Valley’s campsites smaller than the minimum size required by the Pittsylvania code. James submitted the request in the hopes of avoiding unnecessary tree removal.
Being eco-friendly in this endeavor is important to James, she said at a county planning commission meeting last week.
The county’s code for campgrounds requires a minimum campsite size of 1,600 square feet.
This allows space for a car to park at the campsite, but James said the glamping part of Echo Valley will be a pedestrian zone.
About 1,000 square feet per campsite will be plenty of room for the geodesic glamping dome, she said.
“I’m actually asking to do less, not do more,” James said at the July 7 meeting. “Why should we be required to cut down more trees? The comprehensive plan suggests that we have more agricultural spaces and keep our green spaces. You’re requiring me to cut down more trees than I need to for no reason.”
Planning commission member Gary Oakes was most outspoken about this during the meeting.
“Your next door neighbor could reach through the window and take a steak off your grill,” Oakes said.
James clarified that there would be 10 feet between each dome unit, and each dome only takes up 400 square feet. The decking around the dome and the spacing between units would account for the remaining 600 square feet of a 1,000-square-foot campsite.
She said she doesn’t need the full 1,600-square-foot space, and she hopes to leave as many trees standing as possible.
“None of this should go against common sense,” she said. “Common sense says, ‘Don’t cut down more than you need.’”
Oakes said that the code exists “for a purpose and to keep it uniform in the county.”
All five planning commission members in attendance decided to stick to the county’s code. James’ variance request was recommended for denial by a 5-0 vote.
This item will go before the county’s board of supervisors for a final vote at a later date. Agendas for future board meetings are not yet available.
Echo Valley was initially scheduled to open this summer. James said in May that there have been some delays, and information about a new timeline is forthcoming.
River District’s Music on Main series kicks off this week
Danville’s River District Association, which works to revitalize and promote the city’s downtown, is starting a regular music event series on select Thursday evenings this summer.
“Music on Main” is a pilot program that combines local music with extended shopping hours at many Main Street businesses, according to a July 9 news release.
Starting this week, live performances outside of River District businesses will “create a welcoming atmosphere” and “provide the soundtrack for an evening of shopping, dining and exploring,” the release said.
On Thursday, the first event in the series will be held on the porch of the Elk’s Lodge at 560 Main St. The band Rock Steady will play from 5 to 8 p.m.
Subsequent events include:
- July 30: Artist Felice McWilliams at Moss Mountain Outfitters (326 Main St.) from 5 to 8 p.m.
- Aug. 13: The band The League of Ordinary Gentleman at the Dog-Eared Page Bookshop (525 Main St.) from 4 to 7 p.m.
- Aug. 27: Artists Trevor Percario and Roland Burnot at Moss Mountain Outfitters (326 Main St.) from 5 to 8 p.m.
The event series is a collaboration between the RDA and Caesars Virginia, the release said.
“Music on Main is about creating an experience,” said Tina Leone, executive director of the River District Association, in the release. “We want people to finish their workday and think of downtown as the place to relax, meet friends for dinner, browse local shops and enjoy live music.”
For more information, contact Shane Brogden at shane@riverdistrictassociation.com or 434791-0210.
