How to Start a Business in Danville, Virginia
Why Danville for Your Business
Danville is in the middle of the biggest economic transformation in its history — and that transformation creates real opportunity for entrepreneurs who move now.
The casino story: Caesars Virginia opened on December 17, 2024 — a $750 million casino resort built on the former Dan River Mills site in the Schoolfield neighborhood. The partnership between Caesars Entertainment and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians brought the tallest building in Danville (a 320-room hotel tower), Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen restaurant, and a 2,500-seat Pantheon entertainment venue. In year one: 1,200+ jobs created, 2 million visits to the resort, and approximately $35 million in gaming taxes flowing into city coffers annually through the Investing in Danville Committee.
That $35 million in annual gaming revenue is being allocated toward education, public safety, housing, and economic development. For entrepreneurs, this means a city government with investment capital, a sustained influx of visitors who need hotels, restaurants, transportation, retail, and services — and a city that has made attracting new businesses an explicit priority.
The pre-casino context matters too. Danville was a former textile city — Dan River Mills, once one of the world’s largest textile manufacturers, closed its Danville operations in 2006. The city has spent two decades rebuilding from that loss, developing the River District from the old tobacco warehouse stock along the Dan River, building the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, and positioning itself as a destination for advanced manufacturing. The casino accelerates a trajectory that was already moving.
Key facts for business owners:
- Population ~43,000 — independent city in south-central Virginia, right on the North Carolina border
- Caesars Virginia casino resort opened December 17, 2024 — $750M investment, 1,200+ jobs, 2 million year-one visits, ~$35M in annual gaming tax revenue to city
- Caesars Virginia partnership: Caesars Entertainment + Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
- Hotel tower: 320 rooms, tallest building in Danville. Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen restaurant. 2,500-seat Pantheon entertainment venue
- Investing in Danville Committee: city’s public-driven plan for allocating casino revenue toward education, public safety, housing, and economic development
- City of Danville Economic Development: discoverdanville.com — One Stop Permitting Center assigns a coordinator to fast-track new businesses
- Low cost of living: among the lowest in Virginia — attractive for startups and relocating businesses
- 60 miles from Durham, NC — draws customers and workers across the state line
- Danville Utilities: city-owned utility providing electric, water, wastewater, gas, and broadband — municipal broadband is a genuine competitive advantage
- No city income tax. Virginia flat 6% corporate income tax.
- Sales tax rate: 5.3% (4.3% state + 1% local)
Choose Your Business Structure
Your business structure determines liability exposure, tax treatment, and how the business is perceived by banks. For most Danville startups, the LLC provides the right combination of protection and flexibility.
LLC (Limited Liability Company)
- File Articles of Organization with Virginia SCC online at cis.scc.virginia.gov
- Filing fee: $100
- Annual registration fee: $50/year
- Provides personal liability protection; flexible tax treatment
- Most common structure for Danville’s small business, hospitality, and service businesses
Sole Proprietorship
- No SCC filing required unless operating under a trade name
- If using a fictitious business name, register with SCC for $10
- No liability protection — personal assets exposed to business debts and lawsuits
Corporation
- File Articles of Incorporation with SCC: $75
- More appropriate for businesses seeking investors or operating at larger scale
- More complex governance requirements
S-Corp Election
- Federal IRS election via Form 2553 — separate from Virginia state formation
- Pass-through taxation with potential payroll tax optimization for profitable businesses
Register with the State
Complete your state registrations before applying for the local Danville license.
Virginia SCC File at cis.scc.virginia.gov. The SCC Clerk’s Information System handles name availability searches, entity filings, and trade name registrations. SCC help line: (804) 371-9733, toll-free (866) 722-2551.
Federal EIN Apply free at irs.gov/ein — issued immediately online. Required for banking, payroll, and your city business license. Get this before anything else.
Virginia Department of Taxation Register for sales tax, employer withholding, and other state tax accounts at tax.virginia.gov. Phone: (804) 367-8037. Danville sales tax rate: 5.3% (4.3% state + 1% local).
Get Your Danville Business License
All businesses located or operating in Danville must apply for a city business license before commencing operations.
Commissioner of the Revenue
- Address: 2nd Floor, Charles Harris Financial Building, 311 Memorial Drive, Danville, VA 24541
- Phone: (434) 799-5145
- Commissioner: James M. Gillie
Key facts about Danville’s licensing structure:
- License fee based on gross receipts for the full calendar year (January 1 – December 31) — NOT prorated
- Start mid-year? You still pay the full fee for the calendar year.
- Under $100,000 gross receipts: flat $50 fee regardless of business type
- Over $100,000: rate calculated based on your specific business classification
- New businesses: estimate gross receipts for the initial year — subject to reconciliation against actual results at year-end
- Renewals due annually with Commissioner of the Revenue
- Taxi services and junkyards have separate fee structures (ask the Commissioner)
What to bring when applying:
- SCC registration documents (Articles of Organization for LLC, charter for corporation)
- Zoning approval from Community Development
- Any required state licenses (DPOR, Health Department, etc.)
- Government-issued photo ID
- Estimated gross receipts for the current calendar year
Zoning and the One Stop Permitting Center
Zoning approval is required before the Commissioner will issue a business license. But Danville has something most Virginia cities don’t: a dedicated concierge service for new businesses.
One Stop Permitting Center The City of Danville Economic Development assigns a dedicated coordinator to help new businesses fast-track the entire permitting process. This is not a department you call once — your coordinator helps navigate zoning, building permits, inspections, sign approvals, and other requirements from a single point of contact. Contact Danville Economic Development at discoverdanville.com to request a coordinator.
Community Development Department Handles zoning verification for your business location. Contact Community Development to confirm your address is properly zoned for your business type before signing a lease.
Inspections Division Issues separate permits for building, electrical, mechanical, signage, and plumbing work. Any construction, renovation, or buildout requires permits from Inspections. Asbestos remediation forms and plan review may also be required for older buildings.
Design Commission review Some districts require review by a Design Commission before permits are issued — not all locations require this. Ask the Inspections Division whether your specific location requires Design Commission review before you start the application process.
Signage All signage must be reviewed and approved by the Community Development Department. Apply before fabricating or installing signs.
Industry-Specific Requirements
Danville’s Commissioner of the Revenue requires additional documentation based on your business type. These requirements are more detailed than in many Virginia cities.
Food businesses (restaurants, food trucks, grocery, convenience stores)
- Health permit from the Virginia State Health Department required before city license is issued
- Phone: (434) 766-9828
Food trucks — double inspection requirement Food trucks must satisfy TWO inspection requirements before operating in Danville:
- Health permit from the Virginia State Health Department (same as brick-and-mortar restaurants)
- Inspection by the City of Danville Fire Department — contact Shelby Irving at (434) 799-5226 Both inspections must be completed and documentation provided. The Fire Department inspection is specific to food trucks and is not required for restaurant storefronts.
Meals tax Any business selling prepared food or beverages must register for Danville’s meals tax with the Commissioner of Revenue’s office at the time of licensing.
Alcohol ABC permit from the Virginia ABC Board required before serving or selling alcohol. Phone: (800) 552-3200 | abc.virginia.gov
Retail Register with the Virginia Department of Taxation for sales tax collection. Phone: (804) 367-8037.
Contractors
- Virginia State Contractor’s License required for any individual job with costs exceeding $1,000
- Must be bonded for $5,000 (Class A contractors are exempt from the $5,000 bond requirement)
- DPOR (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) issues Class A, B, and C contractor licenses based on project size and scope
- Provide copy of state contractor license when applying for city business license
Daycare centers (5 or more children) Contact Social Services for specific requirements before applying for the city business license.
Barbershops and beauty salons
- Shop or Salon License from the Department of Cosmetology (through DPOR)
- Every individual stylist must present their valid state license when the shop applies for the city business license — not just the shop owner. This applies to every employee who performs cosmetology services.
- Failure to produce individual stylist licenses delays license issuance
The Casino Opportunity — What It Means for Entrepreneurs
The Caesars Virginia opening is not just a jobs story — it is a demand story. Two million visitors in year one are looking for places to eat, sleep, drink, shop, and be entertained beyond the casino itself.
Specific opportunities the casino creates:
- Food and beverage: The resort has on-site dining (Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen), but visitors who stay multiple days want variety — restaurants and bars within driving distance of the resort benefit directly
- Hotels and lodging: The resort has 320 rooms. With 2 million annual visits, additional lodging capacity is needed throughout Danville
- The 500 Block Food Hall features local restaurateurs in a partnership with the casino — Caesars has shown interest in working with Danville-based food businesses
- Event and convention demand: The 2,500-seat Pantheon entertainment venue drives pre- and post-show dining and hospitality
- Services for 1,200+ casino employees: A permanent workforce of that size creates sustained demand for healthcare services, childcare, financial services, and retail
The Investing in Danville Committee’s allocation of gaming tax revenue toward economic development also means city grants and loans for qualifying businesses may be more available in the coming years. Contact Economic Development at discoverdanville.com to ask about current incentive programs.
Open a Business Bank Account
Open a dedicated business bank account once you have your EIN and SCC formation documents. Keep business and personal finances entirely separate — commingling undermines the liability protection your LLC provides.
Bring to the bank:
- EIN letter from IRS
- SCC Certificate of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (corporation)
- Business license or application receipt
- Government-issued photo ID
Local and regional banking options with a Danville presence include Carter Bank & Trust, National Bank, and Atlantic Union Bank, as well as the major national banks.
Business Resources in Danville
City of Danville Economic Development
- discoverdanville.com — One Stop Permitting, incentive programs, site selection
- Dedicated coordinator assigned to new businesses through the One Stop Permitting Center
Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce
- Business networking and advocacy for the broader Danville-Pittsylvania region
SBDC (Small Business Development Center)
- Free one-on-one business consulting, workshops, and business plan development through the Virginia SBDC network
SCORE
- Free mentoring from retired executives
Danville Utilities
- City-owned utility providing electric, water, wastewater, gas, and broadband to Danville businesses
- Municipal broadband is a genuine competitive advantage — consistent, locally-operated connectivity
- Contact Danville Utilities for commercial rate information
Caesars Virginia partnership opportunities
- The casino has partnerships with local businesses, including the 500 Block Food Hall featuring local restaurateurs
- Convention and event space at the Pantheon drives demand for services
Virginia Business One Stop
- virginia.gov — statewide registration portal, state tax registration, license lookup
Renewals, Changes, and Closing
Renewals: All business licenses must be renewed annually with the Commissioner of the Revenue. Renewal is based on prior year’s actual gross receipts. Remember — the license covers the full calendar year and is not prorated at renewal either.
Address or ownership changes: Update with the Commissioner of the Revenue promptly. Tax obligations follow the business, not the specific address record.
Closing: Notify the Commissioner when you cease operations. Tax liability does not end automatically — the city will continue to assess you until you formally declare the business closed. Put the notification in writing and keep a copy.