In Case You Missed It: April 2025 Digest

Posted on by Department of Housing and Community Development

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

Blueprint Virginia 2035

  • Throughout 2025, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce will be engaging in a campaign of wide reaching public and stakeholder outreach as they complete a comprehensive plan designed to keep Virginia as the state of choice for economic development. Click here to learn more about how you can share your input and be heard during the process!

Main Street Now 2025 | Conference Highlights

  • More than 35 VMS communities joined their fellow Main Streeters from across the nation in the birthplace of America for three full days of education sessions, workshops, and special events at the 2025 Main Street Now Conference. Click here to learn more!
  • At the 2025 Main Street Now Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one session highlighted the transformative potential of artistic engagement and existing assets in rural and small-town revitalization, especially when driven by the people who know their communities best. Click here to learn more!

Portsmouth’s Bloom Market

  • Bloom Market, Portsmouth’s nonprofit retail accelerator, recently celebrated its first anniversary with an outdoor vendor market that drew a vibrant crowd. The milestone event showcased the creativity and talent of local artisans, makers, and creatives who have benefited from the program’s support over the past year. Click here to learn more!

Empowering Minority-Owned Businesses

  • Since 2019, minority-owned businesses in the City of Martinsville and Henry County have been working together to create opportunities for success and overcome systemic barriers. Through dedicated efforts, and perseverance throughout the COVID pandemic, this informal network has evolved into a formal 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Minority Business Consortium (MBC). Click here to learn more!

Unlocking Capital on Main Street

  • VMS has been selected – as one of two coordinating programs out of 24 applicants – to participate in the Unlocking Capital on Main Street program, a new initiative led by Main Street America and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This prestigious opportunity empowers communities to build stronger, more equitable local economies by expanding access to investment capital and fostering vibrant, healthy downtowns. Click here to learn more!

A Look Into Virginia Main Street

  • On the DHCD Partners for Better Communities podcast, Courtney Mailey and Rebecca Rowe dive into the impact and legacy of the VMS program as it celebrates an impressive 40 years of revitalization, resilience, and community-driven success. Click here to listen!

Stay tuned for lots more great content in May!