In Case You Missed It: March 2025 Digest

Posted on by Department of Housing and Community Development

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

Downtown Visitation Trends

  • In partnership with Main Street America and Placer.ai, VMS commissioned a report about visitation trends for all 37 historic commercial districts designated at the highest tier in 2024. Placer.ai uses location data from smartphones to track visits and visitors within the specified boundaries of each local Main Street district. Over the years to come, this baseline data will form a picture of visitation patterns as a proxy for downtown district vibrancy in individual districts, as well as the aggregation of all of 37 districts. Click here to view excerpts of the report and learn more!

2024 Reinvestment Statistics

  • In 2024, VMS collaborated with Main Street communities across the Commonwealth to implement the Main Street Approach, driving positive and catalytic impacts. Through strategic initiatives and dedicated local leadership, these communities, with their emerging and established Main Street programs, have successfully attracted new businesses, fostered meaningful community engagement, and strengthened their local economies. Click here to view the collective impact of these efforts!

Main Street Tourism

  • As we gear up for a vibrant spring and summer travel season, now is the time to ensure your downtown is ready to welcome visitors—and the Virginia Tourism Corporation has funding opportunities and other resources to help. Click here to learn more!

People and Places That Have Shaped Virginia Main Street

  • Reaching a milestone like 40 years is an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable impact and achievements of those who have helped shape the VMS program. As we celebrate this legacy, we took a moment during February’s special anniversary event to recognize the contributions of key individuals—and even one special place—whose vision, dedication, and hard work have laid the foundation for our success. Click here to learn more!

Grant Highlights

  • Made in Bristol (MIB) continues to strengthen Bristol’s small-scale production and manufacturing businesses through increased brand awareness, creative collateral, training, and mini grants. The Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Believe in Bristol, and the City of Bristol leveraged a FY2022 Virginia Business District Resurgence Grant (VBDRG) from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to create the MIB brand, and a $100,000 FY2024 VBDRG supported its expansion. Click here to learn more!
  • A well-designed sign is more than just a marker—it’s a beacon that draws customers in, strengthens a business’s identity, and contributes to the overall vibrancy of a community’s downtown. With that in mind, the City of Norton launched its Signage Grant Program, funded by a Rural Community Development Initiative grant, to support local businesses in enhancing their visibility and presence in the heart of the city. Through the program, eligible downtown businesses could apply for grant funding to purchase and install new signage or improve existing signage. Click here to learn more!

Measuring Impacts

  • Measuring the direct, indirect, and induced impacts of your Main Street program’s initiatives is a vital practice that provides valuable insights into the true reach and effectiveness of revitalization efforts. By quantifying these impacts, Main Street programs are equipped with data-driven evidence to communicate their value to key stakeholders. When done well, this practice not only enhances transparency and accountability but also positions the program as a credible and influential driver of economic growth. Click here to learn more and view how the River District Association in Danville, Virginia showcases the meaningful impact it has on the community!

Demonstrating the Value of Main Street

  • How does a small town make the case for investing in Main Street? For Cape Charles, Virginia, the journey began with a simple but essential question: What value will this bring us? The second installment of a two-part series explores how Cape Charles Main Street’s impact didn’t stop with initial successes. Over time, the organization has secured impressive grant funding to drive projects that improve both the visitor experience and the quality of life for residents. Click here to learn more!

Stay tuned for lots more great content in April!