During the month of July, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team published eight blog posts, highlighting the latest community-vitality news, events and more! Here’s a recap: 2024 VMS Merit Awards Appreciative Inquiry in Urbanna’s Main Street Startup Transforming Lynchburg’s Fifth Street District Stay tuned for lots more great content in August!

Lynchburg‘s Fifth Street District was once the center of commerce for the city’s African-American community. In 2012, it formally became a National Historic District, undoubtedly worthy of preservation. Contributing to that designation, the building at 409 Fifth Street was originally constructed in 1936 to house the Moser Furniture Company and featured a charming colonial-style building … More The Transformation of 409 Fifth Street in Downtown Lynchburg

The Virginia Main Street (VMS) program’s Promotional Innovation merit award highlights an innovative and successful district-wide special event or initiative designed to build a positive community identity and spirit or a district-wide marketing campaign designed to attract customers and increase revenue for local businesses. The 2024 award went to the City of Roanoke’s Department of Economic Development … More 2024 Promotional Innovation Merit Award Winner – Roanoke!

The Virginia Main Street (VMS) program’s Power of Preservation merit award highlights a preserved historic landmark and the actions taken by a community to restore this property through stewardship and innovation, preserving the historic character of their downtown. The 2024 award went to St. Paul Tomorrow (SPT) for their commitment to preserving the Lyric Theater! The Lyric … More 2024 Power of Preservation Merit Award Winner – St. Paul Tomorrow

The Virginia Main Street (VMS) program’s Entrepreneurship Gamechanger merit award highlights programs, policies, or initiatives that nurture and support individuals or emerging small businesses to develop their ideas, products, and/or services into viable, competitive businesses. The 2024 award went to Downtown Wytheville, Inc. (DTW) for their Grow with Google program! In 2023, DTW signed on as a Grow with … More 2024 Entrepreneurship Gamechanger Merit Award Winner – Downtown Wytheville!

The Virginia Main Street (VMS) program’s Main Street Change Maker merit award highlights an individual that has shown strong commitment and extensive support for their local Main Street program. The 2024 award went to Tom Raab, South Boston Town Manager. Tom Raab is deserving of recognition for his unwavering support of South Boston’s local Main … More 2024 Main Street Change Maker Merit Award Winner – Tom Raab, South Boston Town Manager!

The Virginia Main Street (VMS) program’s Impactful Placemaking merit award highlights a community’s physical and visual transformation by recognizing an outstanding people-centered, placemaking project that bolsters the downtown’s uniqueness. The 2024 award went to Harrisonburg’s Downtown Ducklings project. Inspired by the Mice on Main project in Greenville, South Carolina, Harrisonburg’s Downtown Ducklings is a permanent, … More 2024 Impactful Placemaking Merit Award Winner – Harrisonburg!

During the month of June, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team published seven blog posts, highlighting the latest community-vitality news, events and more! Here’s a recap: Accessibility Design VMS Community News VMS Merit Awards Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) Virginia Rural Leadership Institute Stay tuned for lots more great content in July!

Virginia Main Street (VMS) recently had the honor of joining the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) at their summer membership meeting centered on exploring the intersection of community and economic development. VMS presented the annual Merit Awards highlighting the outstanding achievements of Main Street communities and their impactful projects, partners, and initiatives. Six communities received … More Celebrating 2024 VMS Merit Award Winners!