Month: December 2019

Main Spotlight: What Does Supporting Local Really Look Like?

December 26, 2019

“Supporting local is more than just a hashtag, it is a lifestyle.” Featured recently in Main Street America’s Main Spotlight, Downtown Wytheville Inc. Executive Director Todd Wolford contributes a message that speaks from the heart to customers supporting local businesses. Local holiday spending is certainly a gift, but making that continuous effort year round is … More Main Spotlight: What Does Supporting Local Really Look Like?

The Cost of an Empty Building: Calculating Opportunities Downtown

December 16, 2019

Every community has it: that vacant, eye-sore building with an absent owner. Yet, economic and community developers alike still struggle to communicate the impact of that vacant building on the vitality of the downtown community. At Main Street America’s recent Community Transformation Workshop, Donovan Rypkema of PlaceEconomics described that exactly. Calculating the impact of that … More The Cost of an Empty Building: Calculating Opportunities Downtown

Norton’s Cider Success

December 8, 2019

A vacant building at the heart of downtown Norton once considered for demolition has gotten a second lease on life. Recent renovations have transformed it into Southwest Virginia’s first cidery. Watch the video to learn more about the project from start to finish! The project to reimagine the former auto repair shop began in 2016 … More Norton’s Cider Success

Attract a Dynamic Workforce by Utilizing the Main Street Approach!

December 4, 2019

“One lesson for cities, especially smaller cities and towns hoping to attract new talent, is that instead of chasing big businesses, they should focus on building a great place as outlined in the Main Street Program’s Four-Point Approach to economic development. ” Ed McMahon is a senior resident fellow at the Urban Land Institute in … More Attract a Dynamic Workforce by Utilizing the Main Street Approach!

May is Preservation Month!

December 2, 2019

Yes, you read that right. It is six months away, but Preservation Month is a great time for Main Street organizations to promote themselves while promoting the economic development benefits of historic preservation. What are some ways to celebrate, maybe even profit from Preservation Month? Does your organization have any connections with local realtors? Ask … More May is Preservation Month!