Danville is having a “Field of Dreams” dilemma.

The famous movie quote, “If you build it, they will come,” rings all too true in the former mill town, which is attracting companies to its industrial parks and old Dan River Mills properties, along with a $650 million casino. It’s good news on paper, but where will “they” live?

“If they come, how many will be here?” Kenneth Danter asked. The president of national real estate market research firm The Danter Co., Danter presented a report on Danville’s housing market last August at the first Southern Virginia Regional Housing Summit.

Much of the activity is spurred by the forthcoming $650 million Caesars casino expected to open in 2024, as well as a temporary casino set to open by midyear.