River District Association receives $240,000 to invest in River District, North Main Hill
The River District Association (RDA) is excited to announce that the organization has been awarded two competitive grants totaling $240,000 from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to further assist with their mission to strengthen the regional economy, allowing all to experience Danville’s high quality of life. These grants have been awarded from a pool of $4.4 Million designated to 33 investment projects across the Commonwealth.  
Another ribbon cutting in the River District. Join us!
Dream Launch Bootcamp registration is open!
The River District Association (RDA) is excited to announce that registration has opened for the fourth cohort of the River District Association Dream Launch Bootcamp. This will be the fourth iteration of the RDA Dream Launch Bootcamp; since the start of the program in 2019, over 200 individuals have participated in some or all of the Bootcamp classes.

Entrepreneurs or existing businesses who complete all six Bootcamp sessions and plan to open brick and mortar locations in the River District may apply to compete in the Dream Launch Pitch Competition for awards and incentives totaling more than $200,000.  
Register for the RDA Dream Launch Bootcamp at: https://tinyurl.com/RDADreamLaunch2022
Dream Launch Bootcamp and Pitch Competition is made possibly by the support of:
Mark your calendars...
November Community Events in the River District
The 14th annual Bright Leaf Brew Fest is just around the corner. Join us for a day of fun with a thousand of your closest friends on November 13th from 11:00 am - 5:30 pm outside at the Carrington Pavilion located in Danville's River District. Sample from over 100 different beers, enjoy live music, and eat some delicious food.
Junior Wednesday Club, last year's sponsor of the Wobble Gobble 5K and Fun Run, has the exciting privilege of hosting what was previously known as the Dan River Autism Awareness 5K. 

There will be a Fun Run and 5k. Event begins at the Danville Science Center and is on November 13th. Registration is open until November 8th. Fun Run starts at 8:30 am, and 5 K starts at 9:00 am.
Holiday Bazaar at the Community Market
November 20th 8am - 2pm
629 Craghead Street
Shop Local on Shop Small Saturday, and support the places you love. Shop Small Saturday was started in 2010 by American Express to encourage all of us to support our local small businesses during the holiday season.

Did you know, “for every dollar spent at a small business in the U.S., approximately 67 cents stays in the local community.1 So when you Shop Small on Small Business Saturday—and all year long — you can help create a big impact.”
Starting November 26th through December 2nd, vote for your favorite magical holiday decorations of the River District's Windows! Voting link will be live November 26th.
RDA is producing HOME for the Holidays again this year, but with a little extra fun! Six short videos will be released every Friday from November 26th through December 31st. Each one will celebrate something different about the holidays season in our region. Learn more at www.rdahomefortheholidays.com
Business Announcements and Promotions
Photography by Lisa is taking Christmas Appointments!

Limited appointments available.

Packages start at $125

Call 434-822-6143 to schedule your appointment.

Sessions will be November 15 - 19.
Blush and Bashful Spa has expanded and added facials.
Visit their website to learn more, and book an appointment.


Main Street Art Collective is now open Mondays! Updated hours are:
Monday- Friday 10-6
Saturday 10-5
Visit the Main Street Art Collective webpage to see all the offerings and sign up for classes.
Nana Karen's on Main has new hours!

Now open on Monday.
Open: Monday - Friday: 8-4
Closed: Saturday and Sunday
The Fashion Haus Photography Studio is coming to the River District at 525 Lynn Street!
Mark your calendar for a Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening on November 12th, 3:00 p.m.

All veterans, first responders and law enforcement receive 10% discount on all purchases
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To Do in the River District
River District Event Calendar
Visit the River District Event Calendar to keep up with everything happening in the River District.

Visit the calendar to find community events, art classes, live music shows, and more...

Know of something not listed? Feel free to submit it to [email protected]

(RDA may still make decisions about which events can be included in the calendar - thank you for understanding!)
It's already time to plan your HOME for the Holidays greeting video!
It's already time to share holiday greeting videos for our HOME for the Holiday's video production! This year, we are producing six 30-minute segments, to be released each Friday from November 26th to December 31st.

For the video:
  • Create a 10 second video greeting.
  • You can tell a joke, share your favorite holiday memory, or sing a song! Get creative!


Remember to start recording your video on the landscape orientation.

Share this with friends and family all over the state, country and world. We want as many people who live here or have a connection with Danville to participate.
Send a letter to Santa!
Job Openings in the River District
Infinity Global has multiple positions open. Learn more HERE.

The Danville Family YMCA is Hiring for multiple positions. Stop by in person to apply, or visit their website for more information.

Piedmont Access to Health Services (PATHS): PATHS has open career opportunities. View them at:  https://www.pathsinc.org/careers/open-positions

The City of Danville: The city has quite a few career opportunities open. View them at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/danville
Need some holiday shopping ideas?
Download the River District App: Distrx
The River District App: Distrx is a great way to find dining, retails, and services in the River District.
Also, take a walking tour, participate in upcoming "apptivities" or check out the River District event calendar to see what's happening.

Thank you for enjoying the River District!
What is the River District Association?
Do you want to be a part of a thriving River District? RDA takes Board of Directors applications all year long. Fill out an interest form to be considered for the next board opening!
Mission:
RDA's mission is to ensure the long term viability of Danville's River District as a center of business and civic life, and a source of community pride.

Vision:
Danville's River District will be a vibrant place to live, work, and visit for the diverse population of Danville and the greater Dan River region.

Board of Directors:

Kelvin Perry
CoD Economic Development
President

Steven Osborne
International Mission Board
Vice President

Stuart Smith
FCS, Inc
Treasurer

Christy Harper
Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce
Secretary

William Crumpton
Compassion Healthcare
Past-President

Rachel Covington
Hawthorne and Jade Design Co. LLC

Robin Jones
Vintages by the Dan

Danielle DuCré 
Chatham Hall

Varun Sadana
The Launch Place

Drew Herring
West Main Baptist Church

Emma Sellers
Averett University

Shani Gaylord
PATHS, Inc.

Dr. Andrew Hessler
Danville Dental Associates

Kunal Patel
First National Bank
Who We Are
The River District Association (RDA) is comprised of a volunteer Board of Directors which includes representatives from River District businesses and property owners, the City of Danville, and other community stakeholders.

What We Do
RDA follows the Main Street model to coordinate the public-private partnerships required to revive the River District. We work with the City of Danville, area businesses, and institutions to develop programs and events to get the community working together to market the area's unique assets, to get the district in top physical shape, and to attract and retain businesses.

Why We Do It
As our City Council and City Manager have publicly stated, the economic health of the city is impacted by the River District. A downtown with empty buildings and blight conveys a negative image. A prosperous downtown tells the world that the business sector can work well with the City to bring about positive change. With a number of development projects taking place, the River District has reclaimed its role as a vital, important and pleasant place to work, shop, and have fun.

What You Can Do
We need YOU! Would like to play an active role in the revival of the River District? Do you have any special ideas or talents, or simply want to volunteer with a project, please contact us by phone at 434-791-0210 or by email. One of our dedicated volunteer board members will respond.

River District Association Staff

Diana Schwartz: Executive Director
Kirsten Aherron: Communication and Events Manager
Will Mackaman: Programs and Services Manager
Alyssa Turner: Bookkeeper and Office Manager
River District Association | www.riverdistrictassociation.com