I had the great pleasure of interviewing Newell Arnerich the Mayor of Danville.  
 

I asked the mayor why his involvement with TVIN and his interest in joining forces with the other tri-valley towns.
He said there was a time when Danville was mostly known for its leisure services.  It was known as a great place to live and a great place to go to dinner but now more and more businesses are coming to Danville.  “In the tri-valley area, 75% of all the new technology companies and software services were started in Danville.”
 

As Mayor, Arnerich wants to help these businesses flourish.  He is doing this in several ways:  One, “by joining forces with the other four cities in the tri-valley.    In Danville we don’t have the ability to expand large businesses, we have the opportunity to grow small businesses.  So we decided to partner and help these businesses grow.”
 

“We are all interconnected.  Each of us provides a different part in the business cycle.  Danville provides one part but as a whole we provide all the parts.”
 

The other major contribution to business is the town’s stimulus package.  Money is offered to help retail businesses set up, remodel and write business plans.   And, if they stay in business for18 months, the town forgives the loan.
In the past 60 days, they have 27 businesses that they are helping.  And the money?  It comes from the tax increment from Danville businesses that goes back into the town to be used for reinvestment to help new or existing businesses.
 

If you are looking for a great place to set up your new business, you may want to put Danville on the top of your list.

Check out the Mayor's video.