In Case You Missed It: October 2023 Digest

Posted on by Department of Housing and Community Development

During the month of October, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team published seven blog posts, highlighting the latest community vitality-related news, events and more! Here’s a recap:

Training / Education

  • In September, VMS professionals from around the Commonwealth met in-person for an immersive half-day workshop on Main Street America‘s (MSA) fifth Accreditation Standard – Preservation-Based Economic Development. Click here to learn more about key takeaways!
  • In September, the Retail Alliance held a reception to present their Virginia Retail Matters report in Portsmouth, Virginia. With over 200 attendees, the latest trends and stats that all commercial district leaders need to know were spotlighted. Click here to learn more!
  • Is your community development-ready? Click here to learn more!

Partner Spotlight

Transformation Strategies

  • In October, part of the VMS team traveled to Vancouver, WA for a Transformation Strategies Workshop where State Coordinators, local directors, and Main Street staff from all across the United States gathered to learn how to better understand and execute Transformation Strategies. Click here to learn more!

Where Utility Meets Art

  • Utilities and public art can be interconnected in various ways, often with the goal of improving the visual appeal of a community. Together, they can blend functionality with aesthetics, transforming otherwise utilitarian and visually unappealing structures into attractive elements and artistic focal points within one’s community, particularly downtown. Click here to learn more!

7 Actionable Principles

  • Through the VMS Firm Principles, Flexible Paths series, the Center of Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) is diving into their 7 Actionable Principles (7APs) to strengthen nonprofits and their relationships with funders. The 7APs offer a common language around key and proven practices, infused with values of equity and growth. The first principle relates to creating strategic budgets. Click here to learn more!

Stay tuned for lots more great content in November!