The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Virginia Main Street (VMS) program has released its 2025 Annual Report, and the numbers tell a powerful story: when downtowns thrive, communities—and the Commonwealth—benefit.
In 2025 alone, VMS communities leveraged over $41.6 million in private investment and $10.7 million in public investment, supporting 496 private projects and 307 public improvements. These efforts led to the creation or expansion of 294 businesses and helped generate or retain 1,215 jobs across the state.
These aren’t just statistics – they represent communities investing in their futures with storefronts filled, entrepreneurs supported, and buildings brought back to life. From small-scale design improvements to coordinated business support systems, the work being done in VMS communities reflects a steady, strategic approach to strengthening local economies.
Virginia Main Street is proud to celebrate over 40 years as a Coordinating Program of Main Street America, a national network that continues to demonstrate the collective power of place-based economic development. As highlighted in Main Spotlight: Celebrating 1,291 Nationally Designated Main Street Programs in 2026, communities across the country are leveraging their historic assets and local leadership to drive meaningful economic returns.
Here in Virginia, that same momentum is alive and well. Whether participating at the Advancing Virginia Main Street, Mobilizing Main Street, or Exploring Main Street level, communities across the Commonwealth are part of a statewide and national network with a proven track record of creating economic impact and stronger downtowns.
The takeaway is simple: this work matters, and it’s making a difference.
We encourage local programs to share these results and your own community’s successes with board members, local government, funders, stakeholders, and residents. These stories help build the partnerships and support needed to sustain long-term revitalization.
Take a look at the full report—and take pride in the role VMS communities play in this larger story.
Virginia Main Street 