The sale of Dan River’s plant, has drawn varied reactions from different sections. Officials in the town and Campbell County remain optimistic that it will stay open, but said they will do what they can to provide employment opportunities if it closes. “That plant is fairly unique to the Dan River system and is very profitable. It’s got a very good operation,” said Brookneal Town Manager Bill Gillespie. Mike Davidson, Campbell County’s director of Economic Development, said the area is well aware that the textiles industry in the United States has been on the decline for several years. “This didn’t happen overnight,” Davidson said. Both Davidson and Gillespie said the area’s economy most likely would have to move toward the services sector in order to survive. “What we need to convey is that these people are still here, they still require basic services. Brookneal will always be the hub for the southern end of Campbell, Charlotte and Halifax (counties),” Gillespie said. “I think what we’ve got to get over is that we’re not going to find another Dan River. I think we’ve got to be realistic about it.” State Sen. Charles Hawkins, R-Chatham, said he’s concerned about the future of the Southside’s economy should Dan River close its plants. “Brookneal in particular concerns me, it’s a changing dynamic down there,” Hawkins said. Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Limited, a textiles and soda ash manufacturer in India, announced last
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| month that it is buying 90 percent of Dan River stock for more than $17 million. About 50 people from the Brookneal plant were laid off last month, said Calvin Barnhardt, Dan River’s vice president of Human Resources. He said the company does not have any more announcements about its plants. Approximately 400 people work at the Brookneal plant. Barnhardt said Dan River has applied for help from the federal government so that employees who lost their jobs can receive financial assistance and other help. Brookneal is located in southeastern Campbell County. The county and town have been working on improving the economy in the Brookneal area. For the past few years, the county has received grants from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission to stimulate economic growth. Such projects included making improvements to U.S. 501, the Brookneal area’s main corridor, creating Central Virginia Community College’s Brookneal Center and bringing wireless broadband Internet access to small businesses, Davidson said. The town has also started a revitalization program and has received more than $3 million to improve its water system and make other improvements throughout town. “We’ll do the best we can. When you look at the region as a whole, we have extremely low unemployment. People will be able to find jobs,” Davidson said. “Without a stable economy, we’re making up ground we’re losing,” he said. “People need a livelihood. Hopefully things will work out.” 
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