Waynesboro’s Community Business Launch Named a VEDA Top Project of 2023

Posted on by Department of Housing and Community Development

This month, the Waynesboro Economic Development Authority’s (EDA) Community Business Launch (CBL) project, Main and Wayne 2023, was selected as one of the Virginia Economic Development Association’s (VEDA) Top Projects of the year!

In partnership with the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund (SCCF), the Waynesboro EDA applied for the CBL program in 2022 to conduct an eight-week business curriculum, culminating in a pitch competition and grant awards to entrepreneurs opening in vacant spaces in Waynesboro’s downtown commercial district. They began the process with 12 vacant properties and over 58,000 square feet of vacant or underutilized commercial space.

In total, 14 entrepreneurs completed the Main & Wayne business course, with eight pitching for over $51,000 worth of start-up funding. Of the eight that pitched, four entrepreneurs were awarded grants to open and update or renovate a selected space and launch their business venture. While only four entrepreneurs received funding, five moved forward with opening storefronts in downtown Waynesboro:

The money we received from the Main and Wayne grant program gave us an amazing opportunity to invest in our community and downtown. The funding enabled us to not only purchase, gut and rebuild the property but also jump start the business itself with inventory.

Katie Harris, Owner, Adorn Boutique

As a result of Waynesboro EDA’s investment, over 15,000 square feet of previously vacant commercial real estate is now occupied, filling 26% through the 2023 CBL cohort alone. To date, the entrepreneurs have created six new jobs with an average wage of $38,000 and invested over $142,000 in downtown Waynesboro. Waynesboro EDA credits the success of its CBL project to the various partnerships forged to implement the program, including the city of Waynesboro’s Economic Development and Tourism staff, DHCD CBL funding and team assistance, SCCF, the Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce and Destination Downtown Waynesboro.

Congratulations to our partners on the Wayne and Main team!