On October 24, 2024, the Town of Colonial Beach welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s (USDA) Virginia Rural Development State Director Perry Hickman, who announced a significant step forward in economic development for rural communities across the state. The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has been awarded $500,000 through the USDA Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) to continue its Mobilizing Main Street (MMS) accelerator program.
The MMS program, in collaboration with local nonprofits and governments, aims to enhance market opportunities and strengthen local economies in up to 10 small communities. “This partnership has stood the test of time,” Hickman remarked, highlighting DHCD’s ongoing efforts since receiving its first RCDI grant in 2000. The program draws from the successful Main Street Approach™, utilized in over 1,500 communities nationwide.
Currently, Virginia Main Street is guiding its first cohort of 10 participants, who are expected to complete the program by December 2024. The new funding will help expand local and organizational capacity in regions including Central, Southside, Valley, and Southwest Virginia.
RCDI grants support a range of community projects, such as market studies, façade improvements, and public spaces. Notably, Downtown Colonial Beach participated in the 2019-2020 RCDI cohort and has evolved into a robust economic development partner, launching initiatives like a comprehensive wayfinding system to attract visitors.
Through these efforts, USDA Rural Development continues to play a crucial role in enhancing economic opportunities, job creation, and quality of life for rural Americans. Click here to learn more!
Virginia Main Street 