Undeniably, the novel coronavirus pandemic has disrupted our daily lives, especially the way we work! But, the way we approach revitalization hasn’t changed, and our desire to create vibrant and resilient downtowns and commercial districts has never been stronger. Remaining focused on recovery, Main Street America (MSA) believes there’s no better time to join the … More 2021 Main Street America Institute Course Schedule: Registration Now Open!

Fredericksburg VA Main Street (FVMS) won the 2020 Main Street Idea Pitch competition, receiving a $5,000 award to help make their Scan & LOVE project a success! Alongside four other finalists, April Peterson, FVMS Board President, presented the organization’s idea focused on activating storefronts through storytelling. Judged by a panel of revitalization professionals and the … More Fredericksburg VA Main Street Named Winner of the 2020 Main Street Idea Pitch Competition!

Excitingly, the towns of Vinton, Warsaw and Wytheville will receive Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) awards, totaling more than $1.4 million, to support the redevelopment of industrial and/or commercial structures in their respective localities. Projects were reviewed and evaluated competitively, placing an emphasis on those with a high level of blight, identification of impediments to economic … More Towns of Vinton, Warsaw and Wytheville Named Industrial Revitalization Fund Grant Recipients

2020 marks the 10th anniversary of Small Business Saturday! A decade ago, American Express created the holiday in response to an economy struggling to rebound from a recession. Born out of a movement growing tired of big-name brands receiving more support than local mom-and-pop stores, consumers were encouraged to lift up the lifeblood of the … More Six Ways Business Owners Can Make the Most of Small Business Saturday during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Several months ago, the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) launched the Cardinal Comeback Series to spotlight businesses working incredibly hard to help Virginia’s economy “come back” from the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stakeholders were asked to nominate businesses, and the responses have been overwhelming! In 1950, the Commonwealth of Virginia designated the northern … More VEDA: Cardinal Comeback Series

On Friday, November 20, 2020, Main Street America (MSA) will host a webinar focused on creating outdoor spaces in colder months. Undeniably, we’ve grown accustom to viewing our main streets and downtowns as commercial and social centers. But, the novel coronavirus pandemic has forced communities across the nation to move indoor activities outside, and that’s … More Webinar: Creating Outdoor Spaces in Colder Months

Recently, the National Main Street Center (NMSC) announced the 2020 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) winners during the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s (NTHP) virtual PastForward Conference, recognizing three deserving Main Street communities across the nation. Congratulations to the following communities for receiving the nation’s top award that celebrates those that have excelled in … More Main Street America Announces 2020 GAMSA Winners!

Comcast has launched a new grant program designed to help small businesses that have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically businesses owned by Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) who have been impacted at a higher rate. Earlier this summer, Comcast announced a multiyear plan to fight injustice and inequality, pledging to … More Comcast Launches Grant Program to Help Businesses Owned by Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)