2024 Main Street Change Maker Merit Award Winner – Tom Raab, South Boston Town Manager!

The Virginia Main Street (VMS) program’s Main Street Change Maker merit award highlights an individual that has shown strong commitment and extensive support for their local Main Street program. The 2024 award went to Tom Raab, South Boston Town Manager.

Tom Raab is deserving of recognition for his unwavering support of South Boston’s local Main Street program, Destination Downtown South Boston (DDSB), and desire to improve the lives of residents and address community needs. Through his expertise and exceptional leadership, Raab has driven positive change and been pivotal in shaping DDSB priorities and strategic initiatives, leading to successful revitalization efforts that have enabled downtown businesses to grow and expand.

In 2016, Tom Raab became Town Manager for the Town of South Boston. As a former small business owner, he took his entrepreneurial vision into a role with the town and has always been someone that envisions opportunities and takes strategic action. For example, his commitment to the John Randolph Hotel renovation project led to the town receiving a $475,000 Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) grant, as well as $600,000 from the Tobacco Commission, to help reopen its doors. Raab has led the Town of South Boston to see a number of other amazing initiatives come to life, such as a motorized boat landing on the Dan River, the addition of Mid-Atlantic Broadband and Microsoft to downtown (through the SOVA Innovation Hub), and a successful Community Business Launch (CBL) program, spearheaded by DDSB, that resulted in five new businesses and one expanded business.

Tom Raab’s understanding of the importance of preservation has been evident in his efforts to maintain the Town of South Boston’s historic building stock amidst transformative revitalization projects. Notable among these is the former Textile Mill, now repurposed to provide housing (71 market rate apartments) and serve as the development center for the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center.

Next door is a repurposed tobacco warehouse that houses The Prizery, a 38,000 square foot arts and cultural center. The building was originally where tobacco was “prized” or pressed layer by layer into hogshead barrels often weighing up to 1,000 pounds.

“We couldn’t ask for a better champion for our Main Street movement in downtown South Boston. Tom’s dedication to downtown, willingness to go above and beyond his duties, and enthusiasm for change and revitalization in any environment have been an inspiration to all who know him.”

– Tamyra Vest, DDSB Executive Director

Tom retired last month, and the VMS team is honored to be able to recognize him and his immense contribution to the vitality of South Boston. Without doubt, he’s left an indelible mark on the community, and we extend out deepest gratitude for his service.