Virginia Main Street

Since 2023, Mobilizing Main Street has helped Exploring Main Street communities build capacity by establishing and developing their Main Street nonprofit organizations. The biennial education program prepares communities for the highest tier of participation in Virginia Main Street: Advancing Virginia Main Street. Along the way, the Virginia Main Street team has learned a great deal … More A Year to Build: Mobilizing Main Street and What Comes Next

Guest blogger Jen Carpenter has been the executive director of Main Street Buena Vista for almost two years. She is also a co-owner of a downtown bookstore, Leaf & Lore, and an author. Main Street Buena Vista hosted our own “Downtown Walking Tour” on Wednesday, Aug. 9, where community members had the chance to walk alongside our staff and … More Walk the Block: A Lesson Learned from Across the State

Many Virginia Main Street organizations operate as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, but nonprofit status alone does not exempt an organization from Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). During a recent Advancing Virginia Main Street Board Forum, Megan Rhyne, Executive Director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, explained that a nonprofit may be subject to FOIA if … More When Does FOIA Apply to a Main Street Nonprofit?

The first thing visitors notice when they arrive in downtown Clarksville is its character. Historic storefronts, welcoming sidewalks, locally owned businesses, and views of nearby Kerr Lake create an experience that invites people to slow down, explore, and stay awhile. While that charm may seem effortless, it is the result of intentional investment and strong … More Clarksville’s Façade Improvement Program Strengthens Downtown

Virginia Main Street (VMS) proudly recognized the outstanding achievements of local leaders and communities whose innovative projects are strengthening historic downtowns across the Commonwealth during the 2026 Virginia Economic Development Association Summer Meeting in Blacksburg. The 2026 Virginia Main Street Merit Award winners demonstrate the creativity, collaboration, and dedication that continue to strengthen Virginia’s downtowns. … More Celebrating the 2026 Virginia Main Street Merit Award Winners

This summer, the Town of St. Paul reached an exciting milestone in its ongoing downtown revitalization and elevation of natural assets. The community was selected to participate in the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) program, a nationally competitive initiative designed to help small towns harness the power of outdoor recreation as a driver of … More RERC Advances St. Paul’s Main Street Revitalization & Outdoor Rec.

Community surveys and market data only matter if people use them. Last month, Leesburg Movement hosted Downtown Decoded, an educational event that gave downtown business owners direct access to consumer and market insights and practical ideas they could implement right away. Through a short presentation and round table discussions, business owners learned that visitors spend … More Downtown Decoded: How Leesburg Informs Businesses Through Data