The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has designated Martinsville as an Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) community, along with eight other communities!
Established in 2020 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Uptown Partnership (UP) formed to revitalize Uptown Martinsville and foster community-driven economic growth. The local Main Street organization joined Virginia Main Street‘s (VMS) two-year Mobilizing Main Street (MMS) accelerator program after successfully participating in the DHCD Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) that focused on enhancing participants’ readiness to execute community and economic development projects, while also increasing organizational capacity, leveraging potential, and access to funding opportunities. Building on this strong foundation and strategic progression, UP entered the 2023-2024 MMS cohort well-prepared to apply the lessons learned from RCDI and grow into an even more resilient and impactful force for community revitalization.
Martinsville is a community defined by resilience, with a rich history rooted in its once-thriving textile and furniture industries. Leveraging the region’s skilled labor force and strategic location, textile and furniture pioneers established thriving mills and factories that produced diverse goods fueled by entrepreneurial vision and local expertise.
The bustling downtown was the heart of the community but saw dramatic decline as federal policies and changes in the global economy drove manufacturing offshore. This devastated the local economy and left the Martinsville-Henry County (M-HC) area with blighted buildings, double-digit unemployment, declining demographics and soaring healthcare challenges, among other issues.
In response, local government and other partners invested heavily in economic development, establishing business parks that attracted new international companies. Over the past decade and prior, M-HC has seen more than $500 million in capital investment and 3,600 jobs be created, reducing unemployment to below the national average. This renewed economic stability has allowed the community to focus on revitalizing the Uptown district, transforming it from a landscape of empty storefronts into a hub featuring restaurants, niche businesses and residential developments, reflecting a resurgence of prosperity and opportunity.
Looking ahead, Martinsville’s economic opportunities are anchored in fostering home-grown entrepreneurship and revitalizing mixed-use properties to drive Uptown growth. A flagship example is the redevelopment of the former McCollum-Ferrell Building, which will combine storefronts, residential units and office spaces. Complementing this mixed-use project are investments in dining and retail, such as the opening of Renewal Brewery and the success of TAD Tavern, which attract foot traffic and set the stage for additional high-quality businesses to establish roots in Uptown Martinsville.
Uptown Partnership is committed to cultivating a supportive environment for small business development as a cornerstone of its strategy to revitalize Uptown Martinsville. Central to this vision is fostering a “hand-crafted and locally made” economy that celebrates the region’s entrepreneurial spirit and creative talent. By emphasizing locally produced goods and services, Uptown Partnership aims to attract unique businesses that differentiate the district from larger commercial hubs, creating a distinct identity rooted in authenticity.
To achieve this, Uptown Partnership collaborates with public and private partners to provide resources, mentorship, and financial incentives that empower entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses. Initiatives such as their Facade Improvement Grant Program encourage property owners to improve building aesthetics, while business development workshops equip business owners with the tools needed to thrive.
Not only did the MMS program refine UP economic development strategies, it greatly strengthened board engagement and fostered a culture of collaboration within the organization. The organization has cultivated an environment of open dialogue and camaraderie, empowering the board to actively support its mission and serve as a driving force for revitalization efforts.
In particular, the MMS program empowered UP to tell Martinsville’s story with greater clarity and impact. It enabled the organization to evolve into a results-driven program that delivers tangible outcomes and builds trust through meaningful collaboration. Leveraging insights gained through the program, UP has strengthened its role as a critical partner in Martinsville’s revitalization, working across sectors to maximize impact and ensuring that its efforts are deeply rooted in the community’s aspirations.
To ensure continued success as a newly designated AVMS community, UP will focus on optimizing its organizational capacity through strategic placement of volunteers to committees and roles that match their skills, ensuring that its budget aligns with long-term goals for revitalization, and effectively leveraging its partnership with the City of Martinsville to advance and deepen their shared commitment to downtown revitalization. Continued alignment between UP strategic initiatives and the city’s goals will strengthen Martinsville’s revitalization effort and ensure sustainable growth for the Uptown district.
Virginia Main Street extends its congratulations to Martinsville on achieving AVMS designation, and we look forward to continuing our support as the community progresses toward securing and successfully maintaining Main Street America Accreditation!
Photo Credit (The Big Chair): Visit Martinsville
Photo Credit (TAD Tavern Ribbon Cutting): Martinsville Bulletin
Photo Credit (Renewal Brewery): Renewal Brewery
Photo Credit (McCollum-Ferrell Building): Steven Swain
Virginia Main Street 