In 2020, Virginia’s historic commercial districts and downtowns worked tirelessly to build vibrancy and economic opportunity as they experienced unprecedented challenges, pivoting quickly at the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic to help small businesses and other key stakeholders secure the resources necessary to survive. Apart from their inspiring local efforts, the Virginia Department of … More DHCD Releases 2020 Virginia Main Street Annual Report

Educational Webinar During the month of April, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) welcomed John Sarvay (pictured left), founder of Floricane, to discuss the difference between connectivity and being connected, as well as how to explore ways in which community organizations can best leverage relationships and technology to grow and strengthen community … More CCV Series: April 2021 Recap & Additional Resources

The Virginia Individual Development Accounts (VIDA) program serves as a financial education and matched savings program to assist low-wage earners, helping participants save money, increase their financial knowledge and build their wealth with the purchase of an asset. Participants access the VIDA program services by working with intermediaries that function as “coaches,” helping them become … More DHCD Releases 2020 Virginia Individual Development Accounts Annual Report

In coordination with its 5G network rollout to millions of rural households across America, T-Mobile wants to give one lucky community a $3 million techover (tech makeover). If you love your hometown, the wireless network operator encourages you to submit an entry to transform your small town! Towns with populations of 50,000 people or less … More T-Mobile Hometown Techover Contest

The Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) assists localities in addressing blighted structures in their communities that have contributed to the disinvestment of the property and surrounding neighborhood. “Industrial” structures are considered any non-residential structure significant to the community, due to its size, location and/or economic importance. These remnants of past economic vibrancy and local economies in … More DHCD Releases 2020 Industrial Revitalization Fund Annual Report

During the 2021 Main Street Now Conference, Main Street America (MSA) presented six communities from across the nation with Main Street Forward Awards for having demonstrated exemplary recovery and resilience efforts amid the multiple crises and events of 2020. Excitingly, the Main Street Preservation Trust (MSPT) in Gloucester, Virginia was honored for the community’s innovative … More Gloucester Named Main Street Forward Award Recipient

The Community Business Launch (CBL) is a place-based entrepreneurial development strategy that fills a critical mass of vacant storefronts with expansion or start-up ventures. Local CBL programs train entrepreneurs, creatives, and small business owners about business planning practices, culminating in a group of finalists pitching their ideas to a panel of judges, with winners receiving grant funding … More DHCD Releases 2020 Community Business Launch Annual Report

During the virtual 2021 Main Street Now Conference, Main Street America (MSA) announced the host city for next year’s conference! Excitingly, the 2022 Main Street Now Conference will be held in Richmond, Virginia, and we’re thrilled to welcome thousands of downtown revitalization professionals, economic development practitioners, urban planners and others from across the country – … More Richmond, Virginia Named Host City for 2022 Main Street Now Conference!

On behalf of the Virginia Main Street (VMS) program, Frazier Associates has created a tech sheet for localities across the state to utilize when considering the development of upper stories in their respective historic downtowns, helping communities explore the inherent parameters and various factors involved throughout the process. Commonly, historic downtowns are viewed as social, … More Tech Sheet Now Available to Help Localities Considering Upper Story Housing in Historic Downtowns

Our guest blogger, Dale Fickett (pictured left), is the President & Co-Founder of RVA Works, a public charity that cultivates social impact through entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as offers educational and financial services due to the generous support of over 50 program sponsors and volunteers. Throughout his career, Fickett has served in various economic … More Entrepreneurship in a Post-COVID Environment