The Pittsylvania County Economic Development Department has three primary focus areas: business retention, expansion, and attraction. To effectively carry out that mission, the team responds to direct business inquires, identifies Pittsylvania County's strengths and weaknesses as a place to do business, develops marketable sites to attract business, and maintains strong relationships with existing and potential businesses.

Between the department's establishment in 2015 and December of 2021, companies have announced 2,442 new Pittsylvania County jobs and announced the investment of $911.4 million in Pittsylvania County. To retain area businesses and attract new ones to the region, Pittsylvania County works closely with other internal departments such as Community Development and Public Safety as well as outside agencies, institutions, and organizations that range from educational to financial to quality of life.

Pittsylvania County is also in a regional economic development alliance with the City of Danville. Please visit DiscoverDanville, our joint economic development website, to learn more about how the Dan River Region, which includes both Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville, could be right for your business.

Our motto—Business Savvy, People Friendly—is a true reflection of Pittsylvania County’s residents and environment.

Home to seven industrial parks that have room for substantial growth, Pittsylvania County plays host to a diverse selection of industries, ranging from advanced manufacturing to plastics to agriculture. From small, family-owned tobacco and livestock operations to dairy farms like Mountain View Dairy, which is the largest in the state, to innovative companies like Aerofarms, agriculture remains a crucial element of the Pittsylvania County economy.

In addition to several quality private schools and regional educational institutions, Pittsylvania County offers an outstanding public-school system that offers traditional learning paths along with a modern technical workforce training program. Local companies like delivery-van maker Morgan Olson, honeycomb manufacturer Axxor, plastics company Staunton River Plastics, and tank truck manufacturer Amthor International have a pipeline of highly skilled workers coming out of these programs.

With access to regional attractions like Leesville Lake and Smith Mountain Lake, a growing and improving park system that is anchored by Wayside Park, and an untapped supply of land available for residential and commercial development, Pittsylvania County offers natural beauty and hidden treasures that few Virginia localities can match. Conveniently located with easy access to cultural hubs like Greensboro, Danville, and Lynchburg, Pittsylvania County combines the peaceful atmosphere of rural Virginia with quality living and employment opportunities.

Three welcoming small towns—Chatham, Gretna, and Hurt—are spaced out along Route 29, each with their own personality, attractions, and history.

Chatham

As the centrally located county seat, the Town of Chatham combines a wonderful Main Street America downtown with a population of about 1,300, a budding retail base that includes a coffee shop, several restaurants, and a year-round farmer’s market, and a truly unique history. Chatham offers a true small town feel with great amenities and friendly, welcoming people.

Gretna

With its single stoplight, the Town of Gretna—originally knowns as Elba—covers approximately 1.2 square miles and is the home of about 1,300 people. Railroads have played a crucial role in the town’s history, something that the community proudly shows through signs and its public park. The town’s proximity to Routes 29 and 40 accompanied with its own industrial park mean that there is room for continued economic growth.

Hurt

Nestled in the northernmost section of Pittsylvania County with a sprawling, business-ready industrial park, the Town of Hurt is ripe for economic development and revitalization. A small, family-oriented town with roughly 1,300 citizens, Hurt is bordered on the north by the Staunton River, which is the dividing line between the town and Altavista.