Over the years, small commercial corridor businesses and entrepreneurs have been able to sustain and scale up operations with the assistance of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). CDFIs are lenders with a mission to provide equitable, responsible financing to communities that aren’t typically reached by mainstream finance. They can be banks, credit unions or loan … More What Is a CDFI and How Can Your Community Benefit?

Main Street is Economic Development, and local Main Street organizations have a role to play in creating economic growth. One way that they do this is by creating a healthy ecosystem for entrepreneurs and providing services that support the creation and expansion of locally-owned businesses. Many communities accomplish this through grant and training programs like … More Business Recruitment for Main Streets

A design committee is an important part of any of Main Street organization! It plays a key role in molding the aesthetics and environment of your downtown and helps preserve your community’s unique character, while planning ahead for how to incorporate and guide future changes. Here are a few ways to get your design committee … More Engaging Your Design Committee

Downtown Lynchburg Association (DLA) was awarded a prestigious Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence for the Hill City Eats cookbook by the International Downtown Association (IDA). As defined by the IDA, this award recognizes an “excellent response to an urban place management challenge, demonstrating the application of industry knowledge and exceeding the jury criteria.” The Hill … More Lynchburg Wins International Downtown Association Award for Hill City Eats Cookbook

Experience Old Town Warrenton’s (EOTW) “You Are Home” mural is almost complete! The new mural, which showcases the Blue Ridge mountains in a bold and bright style, sits at the corner of Main and Culpeper Streets—a prominent intersection and entryway into downtown. It took EOTW a while to find a suitable location for the welcome … More Warrenton Brightens Up Downtown With New Mural

Through Virginia Main Street’s (VMS) Firm Principles, Flexible Paths series, the Center of Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) is diving into their 7 Actionable Principles (7APs) to strengthen nonprofits and their relationships with funders. The 7APs offer a common language around key and proven practices, infused with values of equity and growth. The fourth principle relates to … More Firm Principles, Flexible Paths: Prioritize Equity

During the month of December, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team published seven blog posts, highlighting the latest community-vitality news, events and more! Here’s a recap: Training / Education Mobilizing Main Street Alleyway Activation Effective Partnerships 7 Actionable Principles Community Business Launch (CBL) Spotlight A Year in Review Stay tuned for lots more great content in January!

This season often prompts reflection as the days wind down and offers the opportunity to review the year’s challenges and achievements. Virginia Main Street (VMS) communities, as well as the Coordinating Program itself, have had a very eventful 2023.  In January, Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) executive directors gathered in Wytheville for the annual VMS … More Virginia Main Street: A Year in Review

In fall of 2023, two of 10 Mobilizing Main Street (MMS) communities – Martinsville’s Uptown Partnership and The Phoebus Partnership – engaged in fund development training with consultant Jennifer Goldman of Jennifer E. Goldman, LLC. Board members and staff participated in a training and strategy session that included a presentation, discussions, and activities with an … More Mobilizing Fund Development Services for Long-Term Success and Sustainability

St. Paul continues to punch above its weight in downtown revitalization! With support from a $10,000 Virginia Main Street (VMS) Downtown Investment Grant (DIG), the community recently completed an alleyway activation project, creating a pocket-sized outdoor eating space between two restaurants that hosts both permanent and temporary art exhibits. One temporary exhibition space is truly … More Activating an Alleyway With Art in St. Paul