January, 2023
These are the news articles for the selected month.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PLAN
NEWS RELEASE
For more information, contact: Anne Moore-Sparks
Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce
150 Slayton Avenue
Danville, VA 24540
Phone: 434.836.6990
Email: anne@dpchamber.org
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PLAN
PLAN FOCUSES ON ACTIONS TO ENCOURAGE BUSINESS GROWTH
[DANVILLE, VA] – The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is launching a four-year strategic plan designed to focus on the organization’s mission to support and engage business and industry through high quality resources and relationships. The plan is a complete set of goals, strategies, tactics, metrics, and timelines.
The four-month development process included surveys of Chamber members, community stakeholders, and Chamber leadership and studied Chamber demographics and trends to help target the initiatives that would best serve members and strengthen the organization.
“Our vision is to be recognized as the premier advocate for business and industry in the region,” said Anne Moore-Sparks, president and CEO. “We can realize that vision through a broader program of work and innovative initiatives that connect businesses with the resources for success.”
The plan has four priority areas. Strategies and tactics under Business Advocacy are designed to help the Chamber own the position as the regional voice of business. Business Support will focus on creating and providing value to members. The strategies under Leadership Development will make the Chamber the recognized source of leaders in the community through leadership training and development programs. Brand Sustainability will be built on operational and program excellence to make the Chamber recognized as the region’s premier business organization.
Among key initiatives are the creation of an ambassador corps of Chamber members, integrating participants of leadership programs in community institutions and organizations, growing membership, and actively promoting business priorities to local and state legislators.
The plan has a four-year implementation timeline with most tactics assigned to the first two years. “This gives Chamber leadership clear direction on how we can best serve our members and the Danville and Pittsylvania County region.” said Hunter Byrnes, chairman of the Board of Directors.
The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, serving 521 members and more than 21,000 member employees, was established in 2001.
PARTNERSHIP FOR REGIONAL PROSPERITY HOLDING THE BIG SORT IN PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January 23, 2023
CONTACTS:
Ken Larking
Danville City Manager 434-799-5100 klarking@danvilleva.gov
J. Vaden Hunt
Interim Pittsylvania County Administrator
434-432-7710
Vaden.Hunt@pittgov.org
Clark Casteel
President & CEO, Danville Regional Foundation
434-799-2176 ccasteel@drfonline.org
PARTNERSHIP FOR REGIONAL PROSPERITY HOLDING THE BIG SORT IN PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY.
Event will engage citizens in evaluating and prioritizing trends that will impact
the future of Pittsylvania County and Danville.
DANVILLE, VIRGINIA – The Partnership for Regional Prosperity, an organization focused on how to prepare for the growth coming to Danville and Pittsylvania County, will hold the second in a series of events called The Big Sort on February 9 at 5:00 p.m. at the Old Dominion Agricultural Center.
The free event is the latest in a series that started on December 5 in Danville and will continue in coming weeks around the area. The Big Sort is a table-top exercise in which participants evaluate regional and national trends for their local impact, certainty, and community readiness. Trends cover society, technology, economy, education, and politics and participants prioritize the trends to inform the work of the Partnership for Regional Prosperity as it continues to engage the community in a future-forward mindset and collaborative strategy that will prepare citizens, business, and government for the change that comes from anticipated growth. The Big Sort follows up on a November presentation by futurist Rebecca Ryan who encouraged attendees to think like futurists and leverage momentum to create the best future for the region.
There is no charge for The Big Sort and dinner will be provided. Participation for each session is limited to 80 and on-line registration is required at DPChamber.org
The Partnership for Regional Prosperity was formed by local elected bodies as a civic think tank that will make Danville and Pittsylvania County models of future-forward thinking and action.
2023 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Anne Moore-Sparks January 10, 2023
Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce
150 Slayton Avenue
Danville, VA 24540
Phone: 434.836.6990
Email: anne@dpchamber.org
ECONOMIST TO SPEAK ABOUT DAN RIVER REGION AT CHAMBER ANNUAL MEETING
MEETING WILL UNVEIL CHAMBER’S STRATEGIC PLAN AND INTRODUCE LEADERSHIP FOR 2023
[DANVILLE, VA] – The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Meeting of the Membership on January 25, 2023, at 7:30 a.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. Sonya Ravindranath Waddell, vice president and economist for regional and community analysis for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond will deliver the keynote on the challenges as well as unique assets of small cities and towns and rural areas that help attract employers and workers with a focus on the Dan River region.
The annual meeting will also present the 2023 officers and board of directors for the Chamber, deliver a report on 2022 accomplishments, and introduce a four-year strategic plan focusing on the organization’s mission to support and engage business and industry through high quality resources and relationships.
“The Chamber has an important role in leveraging the phenomenal growth that is coming to our region,” said Anne Moore-Sparks, president and CEO. “The region’s business community needs a strong advocate to help maximize the opportunities of that growth. Our leadership and strategic plan will ensure the Chamber fulfills that obligation for the benefit of our members.” The cost is $35 for members and $40 for future members and includes a breakfast buffet. Pre-registration is required by January 22. Click here to register or call the Chamber at 434-836-6990.
The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, serving more than 500 members and more than 21,000 member employees, was established in 2001.