Recently, Governor Ralph Northam announced that 18 communities throughout Virginia will receive funding to support local COVID-19 economic recovery efforts and downtown revitalization. Administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), these Virginia Main Street (VMS) grants, totaling $278,000, will help re-energize the development of downtown communities across the Commonwealth through innovative initiatives, design projects, strategic plans and/or programs and more

“Downtown districts are the lifeblood of our communities and our local economies, and they need our support now more than ever. Main Street communities across the Commonwealth have been greatly impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and these grants will provide critical assistance to help small businesses stay afloat and advance Virginia economy.” – Governor Ralph Northam

Nine designated VMS localities and/or organizations will be awarded Downtown Investment Grants (DIG) that are geared toward supporting design and economic vitality projects within historic downtowns or commercial districts:

• Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. | Culpeper Downtown Revitalization Campaign
• Destination Downtown South Boston | Small Business Recovery After COVID-19
• River District Association | Bricks and Clicks – Danville
• Downtown Franklin Association | S.O.S. – Sustain Our (Main) Street
• Downtown Lynchburg Association | Downtown Lynchburg Market Study and Positioning Plan
• Downtown Wytheville, Inc. | Downtown Wytheville Small Business Celebration
• Fredericksburg VA Main Street, Inc. | Downtown Fredericksburg Streetscape Improvements
• Luray Downtown Initiative| Get Out of Your Car in Luray
• St. Paul Tomorrow, Inc. | St. Paul’s Got You Covered

“In the last five years, designated Main Street communities have sparked more than $413 million in private investment across Virginia.” – Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Brian Ball

Nine Commercial District Affiliate (CDA) localities and/or organizations will be awarded CDA grants that are geared toward projects that reflect the community’s desire and energy to improve their historic downtown or commercial district:

• Town of Bedford | Town of Bedford Upper-Level Access Project
• City of Buena Vista | Town Square Mural
• Cape Charles Main Street, Inc. | Cape Charles Main Street Microsite 
• Downtown Colonial Beach, Inc.| Colonial Beach Design and Marketing Project
• Town of Honaker| Honaker Downtown Street Lamp Project
• Martinsville-Henry County Chamber’s Partnership for Economic Growth | Uptown Marketing
• Olde Town Covington | Covington Downtown Historic District Wayfinding and Beautification
• Onancock Main Street Initiative| Onancock Branding Architecture 
• Town of Tazewell | Main Street Mini Park

In the coming months, we greatly look forward to witnessing these projects, ranging from advertising campaigns to low-interest loan programs, unfold and help Virginia communities and small businesses thrive!