Pittsylvania County Community Action (PCCA) is committed to eliminating the conditions that cause poverty in our region - serving Danville, Pittsylvania County, Henry County and Martinsville.  While this may not seem technology oriented, in fact much of their ability to serve the needs of workforce development, a key component in their mission and service offering, is driven by substantial use of information technology and various platforms to administer programs and services funded by local, state, and federal governments as well as privately funded activities.

As the administrator of the region's One-Stop Workforce Centers, PCCA incorporates technology in its management functions, training programs (internal and customer), testing and evaluation functions, and case management services.  The latter is "where the rubber meets the road" as customers need help and hope.  By utilizing technology-based resources, PCCA is reaching out to those in our community who need it most. 

Over the past several years, Danville’s visionary platform has centered on mobility, access, innovation, and broadband capabilities through a fully digital community. Initiatives developed within the City of Danville have garnered international recognition - Smart 21 Community 2010, Intelligence Community Forum, nDanville 2011 Founders Award and LED City – the first city in Virginia to become a part of the Cree LED City program, an international initiative. In addition, the City has earned several awards through the Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Group including the Governor’s Technology award and Innovative Use of Technology in Local Government. In 2010 Danville was ranked third in the nation as the top digital city. These awards are a testament to Danville’s commitment to technology that supports connected communities.

The City’s collaborative effort amongst departments has resulted in a mobile community where employees can work remotely allowing a higher service delivery. Public Safety personnel have full access to GIS/AVL/incident – property information real-time. Employees are communicating remotely through the use of smartphones, tablet PCs (iPads), Toughbooks, and standardized PCs.

Efforts have been initiated to provide “access” to the community. From wireless “Hot Parks” to public Wi-Fi locations, Danville residents can access City services through various wireless Access Points and a state of the art website (2011 BOW Award) that provides unlimited access to e-Services. Mobile apps allow residents to contact, and look up City information from virtually any location.

Danville has been extremely innovative in their deployment of new technologies with limited funds. Grant money comprises a large proportion of the innovative solutions implemented. These innovative ideas have paved the way for Meter Data Management Systems, integrated 911 with interfacing to all disciplines – EMS, Fire, Police, Jails, Adult Detention and Juvenile Detention, City-Wide ERP and real time automation.

The City’s ownership of a 100 megabit and gigabit connection creates an unlimited environment for digital connectivity through the Danville community. The “Fiber to the Home” project is made possible through the creative allocation of funding sources and City Council approval. The City takes full advantage of this connected platform to implement additional technology initiatives. City of Danville is one of the few communities to maintain a city-owned broadband network.

Engineers PRODUCED in Virginia (Providing Undergraduate Connections to Engineering Education in Virginia) is an academic outreach initiative of the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science in partnership with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). Through this program, the Engineering School is reaching out to bring undergraduate engineering education to communities throughout Virginia.

The PRODUCED program is available to students studying engineering at any of the schools within the VCCS. Students can earn an Associate of Science in Engineering degree from their local community college and then a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science from the University of Virginia, all without leaving their communities.

The PRODUCED program has 28 students studying engineering at any of the schools within the VCCS including Danville, Southside Virginia, and Patrick Henry Community Colleges.  This program, the brainchild of Dr. Groves, is designed to provide our employers with a long-term pipeline of qualified engineers from within our region and the broader Commonwealth.  Dr. Groves and his team have relentlessly traveled all over the region speaking with groups, visiting schools, and conducting seminars for interested students and their parents.  Local employers like EIT, DanChem, Swedwood and others have endorsed and supported this program as a key vehicle to providing the region with more engineers in the years to come.

In addition, Dr. Groves has addressed local school leaders about the importance of Science Engineering Technology and Math (STEM) educational opportunities within the K-12 system helping to further the drive to produce a better educated workforce that is critical to the community's drive for a better quality of life for all.

In 2005, EIT established a presence in Danville with its cable assembly and machining divisions.  In late 2007, the company expanded its operations by adding an automated printed circuit board assembly operation.  These three units generally operated as semi-autonomous businesses.   In 2009 EIT began an effort to transform itself into a highly-automated, cross-functional, vertically-integrated business via a multi-million dollar investment in hardware, software, and training utilizing an enterprise resource planning tool and new business practices that built upon a successful model.  By upgrading everything, EIT has realized significant growth, greater efficiencies, and an expanded customer base.  The performance of the overall business and its Danville operations led to an additional facility being built in Danville to support the production of more printed circuit board assemblies as well as higher level assemblies.

The company presently employs nearly 300 associates throughout the Commonwealth and plans to add an additional 50 because of the new facility in Danville.  EIT serves customers around the world – shipping product to over 100 countries – in various markets.  EIT’s products can be found in medical devices, industrial controls, inspection equipment, power distribution systems, radar assemblies, and security systems. 

 EIT's experience and investment is a true success story for the region, one that is freely shared with prospective businesses and economic developers.

Leadership in Science and Technology: IRflex Corporation

IRflex is the only US company specializing in the production of fiber-optic devices for mid-infrared applications.  Their advanced products are based on their unique fiber-optic technology and processes.  IRflex has the only proven fiber-optic technology to enable the development and production of critical devices for high-power mid-infrared laser applications.  Its unique mid-infrared fiber technology enables the design and manufacture of leading-edge solutions for optical transmission, switching, and sensing. 

IRflex has state-of-the-art equipment to manufacture the mid-infrared fiber.  The entire manufacturing process is highly dependent upon both patented processes and specialized intellectual know-how, which are central to IRflex’s ability to sustain its leadership position in the mid-infrared industry.  Its clean room facility and quality control process ensure the highest quality fiber-optic products.  IRflex world-class staff has 20 years of experience in specialty optical fiber design, production, and commercialization.

IRflex is a growth-stage company with its Research, Development and Commercialization facility in Danville, VA.  IRflex received several contracts from the US Department of Defense and contractors to develop mid-infrared fiber-optic devices.  Our mid-infrared fiber technology is critical to aircraft protection against shoulder-fired missile.  IRflex’s initial target market is the military and serves as a platform for taking our mid-infrared fiber solution to other market segments as the business grows.

 
Leadership in Science and Technology: Engineered Biopharmaceuticals Inc.

Engineered BioPharmaceuticals, Inc. is developing a commercially viable process for freeze drying protein-based pharmaceuticals in aseptic, powder forms.  The company's technology could significantly simplify the use of emerging protein-based therapies by stabilizing the drugs, extending their shelf life, and making them amenable to a variety of simple, reliable delivery mechanisms such as low cost inhalers and point-of-use devices.

Advances in biotechnology have opened up a new class of pharmaceuticals based on engineered proteins that can selectively target specific disease mechanisms with relatively few side-effects. They have the potential to prevent or combat many diseases and provide an arsenal of therapies to counteract pandemic and bioterrorism agents. Biomolecular-based drugs generally cannot be delivered as pills or otherwise ingested because the digestive mechanism is specifically designed to break down proteins. Currently, most are injected as liquids by a less than enthusiastic patient-base. Due to the relatively short shelf life stability of liquid biomolecular-based drugs, they often require special handling, such as maintaining cold chain storage and/or clinician administration, both adding to increased cost and limiting distribution. Establishing a long shelf life through aseptic processing into dry powders is a cost effective and essential process for efficient storage of stockpiles required for epidemics and pandemics.

Engineered BioPharmaceuticals has pioneered an atmospheric spray freeze drying process to create high performance dry powders in controlled sizes for biomolecular pharmaceuticals. Freeze drying has been used to preserve things such as blood serum since World War II, but existing commercial processes produce either solid cakes or poorly defined powders that are unsuitable for aerosol delivery and can be difficult to dissolve while maintaining therapeutic value. The project entails a hybrid manufacturing process that combines the characteristics of spray drying and freeze drying while maintaining a fine control over particle shape. Technical barriers to be overcome include preventing stresses on the biomolecules that damage their therapeutic value; handling aerosol distributions with particle dimensions ranging from the micron scale to the sub-micron scale without loss of expensive product.

Engineered Bio will add more diversity to our employment base, improve the education level of the workforce and help cement the region as a place of serious, application-minded STEM businesses.

Leadership in the Service Industry: Danville Diagnostic Imaging Center

Since 1991, Danville Diagnostic Imaging Center (DDIC) has been providing high-quality services to the community.  Now, those services have been enhanced with a $2 million upgrade of new equipment. The technologically advanced equipment includes an enhanced Computed Tomography (CT) scanner and a new wide-bore MRI unit. 

The new 16-slice CT scanner, an upgrade from the 4-slice CT scanner, allows for higher quality imaging and clearer samples for a more accurate diagnosis.  Since the equipment scans the images faster, a patient’s examination time is reduced.  The CT scan offers a clearer view of scanned anatomy and reveals more details than normal x-ray exams.

The new wide-bore MRI unit also provides faster and more efficient images, allowing for a quick, accurate diagnosis.  Without using x-rays, the MRI machine uses a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer to produce imaging of all portions of the anatomy.

With this new technology, an MRI scan averages between 15 and 30 minutes for most procedures.  Other advantages of the unit include a much larger bore (opening) so claustrophobia typically is not an issue as well as accommodation of patients weighing up to 500 pounds.   A patient can listen to their iPod, favorite CD, or satellite radio station choice while their scan is performed.  In addition to the new CT scanner and wide bore unit, DDIC received new service line applications, including peripheral vascular imaging, which examines arteries and veins for blockages that can cause strokes. 

In order to provide high quality service to patients, a health center must have the necessary equipment, but also be nationally accredited.  The CT and MRI services are accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR).  The ACR awards accreditation to facilities for the achievement of high practice standards after a peer-review evaluation of its practice.  Two months ago, the ACR also awarded DDIC re-accreditation of its digital mammography services.