DANVILLE, Va. – U.S. Sen. Mark Warner was in Danville Wednesday, delivering the keynote address at a defense manufacturing summit held at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

The summit was designed to draw attention to the need for additional workers in defense manufacturing. Part of that need is being filled locally through the Advanced Training and Defense Manufacturing Program at Danville Community College.

Warner said the $7 million federal initiative is drawing nationwide attention, while filling a critical need for trained workers in the defense industry.

The Institute is one of the only locations in the nation where workers can receive the training needed to fill specialized jobs in defense manufacturing.

Warner said this pipeline is essential as the U.S. competes with China. He added that there is “a very good possibility” that defense-related companies will locate satellite branches across Southside.