Downtown Wytheville, Inc. (DTW) is one of only three communities in the country to receive the prestigious 2026 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA), Main Street America announced during the annual Main Street NOW conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. GAMSA is one of the highest honors in downtown revitalization and preservation-based economic development.
This award celebrates communities that exemplify excellence in preservation, grassroots leadership, and long-term transformation. This year, Wytheville stood out for leading one of the most dramatic downtown turnarounds in the nation.
When DTW was founded in 2014, the community faced several challenges: nearly half of its downtown storefronts were vacant, historic buildings were deteriorating, and community confidence was low.
Twelve years later, the story couldn’t be more different.
A commitment to strategic preservation, incremental successes, and deep community engagement has driven the downtown vacancy rate down to just 4 percent. Along the way, the organization has helped catalyze more than $24 million in private investment and nearly $10 million in public improvements, bringing life and energy back to the heart of Wytheville.
Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America, described it best: “Downtown Wytheville exemplifies the power of the Main Street Approach to rebuild not only buildings, but civic belief. Through grassroots leadership, inclusive engagement, and a preservation-first strategy, Wytheville transformed a largely empty downtown into a thriving district where residents see themselves reflected in the future.”
Wytheville’s revitalization has been guided by a preservation-first philosophy, focusing on breathing new life into historic structures while keeping the community’s heritage front and center.
Highlights include:
- Restoring the historic Millwald Theatre as a regional arts destination
- Revitalizing the Bolling Wilson Hotel
- Transforming warehouse space into a lively indoor-outdoor Farmers Market
- Recruiting destination businesses such as Moon Dog Brick Oven and 7 Dogs Brewpub
- Completing streetscape and walkability upgrades that reconnect downtown to its roots as a hub on the Great Wagon Road and a major railroad stop
During the COVID-19 pandemic, DTW became a trusted community leader by administering over $1 million in rent and mortgage relief and launching its innovative “Not Back to Normal – Forward to Better” grant campaign. These efforts helped stabilize local businesses and earned the organization national recognition, including attention from the Brookings Institution.
“Investment in any downtown is not a one-way street, or solely on the entrepreneur, and to know we have an organization that supports our efforts every step of the way, makes it an easy decision when you combine the deep sense of community, classic Americana uplifting feel, and unbelievable small business support of both locals and tourists alike,” said Collin O’Donnell, owner of The Grind Coffee Shop in Downtown Wytheville.
Their Youth Ambassador Program provides young people with hands-on roles in planning, public art, and community engagement, which helps to combat rural “brain drain” and invests in Wytheville’s future leaders.
From strengthening local businesses to restoring historic spaces and deepening community connections, Downtown Wytheville, Inc. has demonstrated what’s possible when residents, partners, and leaders come together around a shared vision.
“This award exemplifies the hard work of so many dedicated residents, partners, and businesses within our community,” said Todd Wolford, Executive Director at Downtown Wytheville, Inc. “We have truly turned a vision into reality here, and we will continue to push for all that is possible right here at home. Being able to put Wytheville in the spotlight and keep our community relevant and thinking forward is my number one goal as the director.”
The award is incredibly well deserved, following the Main Street organization’s GAMSA semifinalist placement in 2025.
Downtown Wytheville, Inc. now joins the ranks of Virginia’s six other Great American Main Street Award winners: River District Association (2023), Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance (2014), Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. (2012), Downtown Lynchburg Association (2006), Manassas (2003), and Staunton Downtown Development Association (2002). Click here to see the full list of GAMSA recipients.
Congratulations to the DTW team, the community, and everyone who has contributed to this extraordinary achievement!
Virginia Main Street 