As a participant in the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute’s (VRLI) 2024 Cohort, Zachary Whitlow, Community Vitality Program Administrator for the Department of Housing and Community Development, provides an overview of the third VRLI session of the year, which was held in Tappahannock, Warsaw and King William on September 11-13, 2024. The Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI) held … More Virginia Rural Leadership Institute Brings Cohort Members to the Middle Peninsula & Northern Neck

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and presents a valuable opportunity for us to explore accessibility and inclusivity initiatives. By championing these efforts, Main Street organizations can play a pivotal role in bridging employment gaps and enhancing opportunities and sense of belonging for all community members. Hilton Village Main Street (HVMS), a neighborhood commercial … More Advancing Disability Employment & Accessibility in Hilton Village

For local Main Street organizations, cultivating a strong, collaborative board is essential to the success of downtown revitalization efforts. When board members work together cohesively, they bring diverse perspectives, foster creative problem-solving and build consensus on priorities that align with the community’s needs. A well-functioning board also creates a unified vision, strengthens partnerships and increases … More Building Stronger Boards: Why Dynamic Meeting Locations Matter for Main Street Organizations

The City of Salem‘s small business community has been thriving, and much of that success can attributed to local entrepreneurs like Robin Ferguson, owner of The Knittin’ Coop. Reflecting on her long-time dream of being a business owner, Robin stated the following: “The seed was planted 39 years ago when I worked in Salem’s first … More Backing Small Businesses in Salem, VA

Since joining the Virginia Main Street (VMS) Network in 2021 as an Exploring Main Street (EMS) community, the Louisa Forward Foundation (LFF) has been dedicated to revitalizing downtown Louisa with support from local government, the Louisa County Chamber of Commerce, and other local partners. In 2022, the LFF secured a $7,000 VMS Community Vitality Grant … More Planning for Growth in Louisa, VA

By now, we have all seen images of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. From Florida and Georgia to the Carolinas and Tennessee, communities are reeling from a myriad of losses. Some places without power, Wi-Fi, or cell service have not yet been fully assessed so the extent of the damage remains unknown. What we … More Disaster Preparedness on Main Street

During the month of September, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team published eight blog posts, highlighting the latest community-vitality news, events and more! Here’s a recap: Grant Opportunities Economic Vitality Bringing People Downtown Riding the Rails Strategic Planning Stay tuned for lots more great content in October!

Rebecca Rowe, Associate Director of the Economic Development and Community Vitality Division and Virginia’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is our guest blogger today. Rebecca’s love language is ice cream. A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to take the train from Richmond to Northern Virginia for the 2022 Virginia Governor’s … More All Aboard! Riding the Rails to Virginia Main Streets

As the air begins to chill in the mornings and the days and weeks begin to speed up as we hurdle toward the end of the year, it’s clear that the holiday season is nearly upon us! The holidays are often an underpinning of larger conversations around vibrancy and sense of place, and it’s a … More Bright Nights On the Bluffwalk

Main Street communities are much more than picturesque avenues with historic charm and walkable sidewalks. They are vibrant corridors with strong community pride and a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem that are lifelines for small businesses—providing support and resources essential to their success. An entrepreneurial ecosystem is the alignment of a variety of public and private efforts—including … More Celebrating Business Expansions Across Main Streets