Guest Blogger: Todd Wolford, Executive Director of Downtown Wytheville, Inc. Todd has served as the Executive Director of Downtown Wytheville, Inc. for eight years and has learned more in those years than any other time in his career about people, personalities, and politics. In 2022, he was selected as recipient of Main Street America‘s (MSA) … More Supporting Local Is More Than Just a Hashtag
The Virginia Community Development Corporation (VCDC) is helping nonprofit organizations and community-focused groups across Virginia elevate their impact through the Mission Elevation Program. This program provides local organizations with the tools, support, and guidance they need to tackle challenges and drive long-term growth—especially for Main Street communities looking to revitalize their downtown areas. What is … More Elevate Your Impact: VCDC Mission Elevation Program
Discover the Who / What / When / Where / Why of a Grant Opportunity! USDA Rural Development | Rural Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is excited to present a monthly grants opportunity brief that could be a game-changer for your growing Communities! This brief is designed … More U.S. Department of Agriculture Grant Opportunity: Rural Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund
Small Business Saturday was created 15 years ago by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and American Express to encourage shoppers to look outside of the big chains for their holiday shopping and spend their dollars locally instead. Every year, the initiative serves as a reminder of the vital role that small businesses play in … More November 30th is Small Business Saturday!
Last fall, Destination Downtown South Boston (DDSB) was awarded a $100,000 Virginia Business District Resurgence Grant (VBDRG) from the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) to fund an entrepreneur assistance initiative – Keep Entrepreneurs Program – within the community’s historic commercial district. Over the past year, DDSB delivered high-quality, individualized advising and technical … More Entrepreneur Assistance Program in South Boston Has Big Impact on Downtown Businesses
The Town of Altavista’s Spark Innovation Center recently completed their Boost Your Business (BYB) series, which strengthened local entrepreneurs across Central Virginia. The series included six total cohorts that participated in targeted business essential training. Each four-week session focused on a specific topic such as marketing, finance, leadership development, and human resources. Due to high … More Altavista’s Spark Innovation Center Boosts Entrepreneurs
On October 24, 2024, the Town of Colonial Beach welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s (USDA) Virginia Rural Development State Director Perry Hickman, who announced a significant step forward in economic development for rural communities across the state. The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has been awarded $500,000 through the USDA Rural … More Federal and State Collaboration Boosts Economic Development in Rural Virginia
We are now a little more than five weeks out since Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and traveled straight north, bringing wind, rain, and catastrophic flooding to Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia as a tropical storm. Every day is bringing new resources, businesses and amenities re-opening, and good news on recovery efforts. News and … More Helene Recovery Resources
During the month of October, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team published eight blog posts, highlighting the latest community-vitality news, events and more! Here’s a recap: Disaster Preparedness Training / Education Accessibility & Inclusivity Building Stronger Boards Supporting Small Businesses Completed Grant Projects Stay tuned for lots more great content in November!
In the heart of every vibrant downtown lies an essential yet sometimes overlooked element: the streetscape. Streetscape improvements, which can include enhancements to sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, signage, and more, play an important role in the overall design and experience of your Main Street district. People are more likely to stroll through a clean, well-maintained area … More Starting With the Basics: Streetscape Improvements in Gate City, VA
Virginia Main Street 