Longwood Small Business Development Center opens satellite office in Danville

The Longwood University Small Business Development Center has opened a satellite office in downtown Danville.

Diane Arnold, branch director of the local business center, said the Main Street office was opened to give downtown business owners easier access to services, since the main office is in Ringgold.

“Now they can just walk down the street to talk to us,” she said.

Arnold said requests to open the office came from City Council members, downtown merchants, the Downtown Danville Association and the Danville Office of Economic Development.

The small office space rental was arranged by the Downtown Danville Association and the city, Arnold said, and all of the furnishings were donated.

“People donated everything,” she said. “They even brought it in, up the stairs, and assembled it.”

The Small Business Development Center provides financial analysis for small businesses, as well as helps with business plans and marketing, according to Sheri McGuire, executive director of the Longwood center. It also can act as an intermediary when small business owners have problems communicating with regulatory agencies.

“We can help in many ways, helping business owners clarify problems and find solutions,” Arnold said. “Our goal is to help stabilize downtown’s retail base and build on to it.”

The Longwood Small Business Development Center is based in Farmville, and has 29 offices around the state.

Danville’s new office is located at 525 Main St. Regular hours are from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and from 9 a.m. until noon on Wednesday.

“We’ll probably be here more than that, but that’s guaranteed,” Arnold said. “We will also be available by appointment by calling (434) 791-7321.”

• Contact Denice Thibodeau at or (434) 791-7985.