Brad Belo – Virginia Main Street – Page 5

Believe in Bristol Opens Downtown Entrepreneur Ideaspace

January 10, 2013

While caught up in the details of drafting board by-laws, choosing downtown bench designs, training volunteers or coordinating downtown merchant coffee hours, it is easy for Main Street board and committee members and staff to forget that the primary goal of the Main Street organization is the economic redevelopment and revitalization of the local … More Believe in Bristol Opens Downtown Entrepreneur Ideaspace

Getting Started with Virginia Main Street

January 8, 2013

Virginia Main Street is accepting applications from communities interested in being designated a Virginia Main Street community. However, if your community is not ready to take this step, here are steps to to help establish or reinvigorate a successful local preservation-based downtown revitalization organization. Look at downtown as if you are a first-time visitor. What is positive? … More Getting Started with Virginia Main Street

How do you know if your event was a success?

January 4, 2013

Many Main Street organizations are planning major winter festivals and downtown shopping events. Although there is a festive feel in the air with these short days and cold weather, the lovely weather is not enough reason to plan and call on volunteers, sponsors, Main Street businesses and the public to hold a festival. There must be … More How do you know if your event was a success?

VMS designation applications accepted through March 15, 2013

December 20, 2012

Virginia Main Street (VMS) is getting ready to add new Main Street communities to the 25 communities officially designated as Virginia Main Streets. VMS is now accepting applications, due March 15, 2013, for new Virginia Main Street communities. Why apply for designation as a Virginia Main Street community? First and foremost, designated VMS communities join … More VMS designation applications accepted through March 15, 2013

Getting Ready For Holiday Shopping on Main Street

December 6, 2012

The shopping season is upon us and Main Street retailers are working hard to make the holiday shopping experience fun, memorable and easy. To help achieve this goal, retailers should give some thought to what types of shopping experiences they want their customers to have. What should customers be saying, feeling and experiencing while in the store? What … More Getting Ready For Holiday Shopping on Main Street

Fixing Up Public Spaces On The Cheap

September 26, 2012

The renovation of large public spaces requires the investment of financial and human resources that may not be possible in all communities or justified for all public spaces. However, the “lighter, quicker and cheaper” approach advocated by the Project for Public Spaces (PPS) is an affordable way to start bringing life back to neglected public spaces, with … More Fixing Up Public Spaces On The Cheap

Tourism Benefits Virginia Main Streets

September 18, 2012

Governor Bob McDonnell recently announced that visitors to Virginia generated $20.4 billion in revenue in 2011, an 8 percent increase from 2010. In 2011, tourism in Virginia supported 207,000 jobs, an increase of nearly 2 percent in employment, and provided more than $1.32 billion in state and local taxes. Virginia’s Main Streets are popular tourist destinations for … More Tourism Benefits Virginia Main Streets

Hopewell Celebrates VMS/CSX Grant

August 17, 2012

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling presented Hopewell Downtown Partnership (HDP) with a ceremonial check for $7,500 as part of a Downtown Improvement Grant awards ceremony held Wednesday, Aug. 15 at the Beacon Theater in downtown Hopewell. The grant funding is the result of a unique public/private partnership that matches $2,500 in VMS funds with $5,000 from CSX Corporation. This … More Hopewell Celebrates VMS/CSX Grant

Main Street Communities Partnering for Entrepreneur Development

July 17, 2012

This past spring, DHCD’s Virginia Enterprise Initiative awarded six innovation grants to help develop new and innovative techniques for cultivating and assisting micro-entrepreneurs. Three of the awardees (Bristol, Staunton and Waynesboro) are specifically targeting micro-entrepreneur development in their local Main Street districts. Staunton Creative Community Fund, in Staunton, will continue to build off of its strong … More Main Street Communities Partnering for Entrepreneur Development

CIC Program Director Recognized

July 13, 2012

Congratulations to Hebah Fisher, program director at Community Investment Collaborative, who was recently recognized in C-Ville Weekly’s “The Power Issue” as one of the movers and shakers in Charlottesville. The 22-year-old Fisher has worked tirelessly and passionately to establish the Community Investment Collaborative, a new micro-enterprise development organization in Charlottesville that is training its first … More CIC Program Director Recognized