We’re LIVE! at the Institute for the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce’s “State of the Region” address. Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jessie Barksdale and Danville Mayor Sherman Saunders will give speeches about the progress of the region this morning.
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The tables are set and ready to go. Apologies for the semi-blurriness, it seems that something wasn’t right with my phone camera’s lens.
We’re ready to go!
We’re underway. Eric Deaton introduces the Secretaries of the cabinet. And he misses the Secretary of Technology at our table.
Jessie Barksdale starts first with his view of the state of the county.
The state of Pittsylvania County is good abd the finances are stable. Pittsylvania County’s credit rating was upgraded this year. Interestingly, he starts with the new digital emergency services radio system first. Next, he talks about partnerships. Says county must partner to go forward Talks about RIFA being the key to economic development. Of course, no mention of the lack of a county economic development office since the BoS idiot move to eliminate that department.
County and city needs to business friendly to all businesses. Not just large ones. County must continue getting industrial sites of all sizes ready to go. Now talking about workforce development. County recognizes the importance of workforce development (no duh).
Barksdale isn’t saying anything controversial and is doing a good job “selling” the county. Now moving to agriculture and the business aspect. County is actively recruiting agricultural businesses. I wonder who’s doing that recruiting?
Barksdale is about to yield to Danville Mayor Sherman Saunders.
Saunders starts by introducing and thanking various people. “The state of the city is good. Yes, improvements needs to be made, but we are making them happen.” Saunders says he sees nothing to make him want to leave Danville. (anybody remember former mayor Wayne Williams?).
Danville’s economic development department is working with their county counterparts? I’m calling horsecrap on that. Now talking about that Chinese flooring company (while omitting GOK completely). Zeyuan Flooring hasn’t done a damn thing since that announcement. Nothing controversial from Saunders, but nothing controversial was expected. Now talking about the JTI Fountain plaza and the streetscaping. Moving to education, and right on to another topic. $20M public money, $90M private money in the River District. Now talking about specific projects (mostly River District ones). Saunders is in lightning round mode talking about projects and then he’s done.
Now stalling until the Governor arrives. Remember, next article will be on the governor’s cabinet meeting.
Governor’s in the house. Saunders does an Ed McMahon impression. And the Terry McAuliffe show begins. He works the audience. Talks about Southside economy, then immediately segues to other regions.
McAuliffe does another criticism of current workforce development. Says will be issuing executive order on that in two weeks.
We’ll have a separate article later with all of our thoughts from the entire day. We’ll wrap this article up with more photos from the breakfast meeting.
The view from behind our table. Councilmen John Gilstrap & Alonzo Jones were at our table along with the Secretary of Technology & the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Everyone’s eating breakfast before the speeches start.
Eric Deaton is today’s host.
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