In March 2020, Main Street America (MSA) conducted a small business survey on the economic and community impacts of the emerging COVID-19 pandemic. They heard from more than 5,000 small businesses across the nation, and you can see the results from that survey here. Now, MSA once again turns to Main Street communities, eager to hear … More 2022 Main Street America Small Business Survey

In late 2021, more than $3.6 million in Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grants were awarded to support 13 projects focused on expanding workforce development and talent pipelines in key industries, fostering business and improving infrastructure. Of those awards, $674,304 went towards the creation of an innovation hub in downtown Farmville that will … More Project Seed: New Innovation Hub Coming to Farmville

The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC) is committed to developing a diverse economy in Southern and Southwest Virginia, offering several grant and/or loan programs to help achieve this goal and accomplish specific economic revitalization objectives. Learn more about two of these programs below: The Southern and Southwest Virginia Programs seek to invest in projects promoting … More Tobacco Commission Opens Southwest and Southern Virginia Funding Programs to Advance Economic Growth

In observance of Black History Month, Virginia Main Street will highlight places and projects around the state that celebrate black history by not only preserving the past, but planning for the future. In historic preservation there is a saying, “Preserving the Past for the Future.” The value of history and historical places does not exist … More Black History (and Future) on Main Street

Recently, Matt Lawless, the Town Administrator in Scottsville, Virginia, was featured on DHCD’s Partners for Better Communities podcast to discuss how he makes things happen, so to speak, bringing creativity, passion and care for people and place to his position as a local administrator. Doug Jackson, Capacity Development Specialist for Virginia DHCD, takes us behind … More Public Service Profile: Scottsville Town Administrator, Matt Lawless, Reflects on Organizing a Community

Recently, the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) opened three funding programs: VTC Recovery Marketing Leverage Grant Program | Maximum: $20,000 and $10,000 (2 funding levels) The coronavirus has had a devastating impact on the tourism and hospitality industries in Virginia. As the Commonwealth reopens for business, the VTC Recovery Marketing Leverage Grant Program seeks to spur … More Virginia Tourism Corporation Opens Three Funding Programs to Support Local & Regional Tourism Efforts

Excitingly, the City of Buena Vista, VA has announced the creation of a new Main Street pilot program for downtown Buena Vista that’s designed to test the viability of such a program in the city. The pilot program was a top recommendation from Buena Vista’s new Downtown Revitalization Plan and will be led by Jamie … More City of Buena Vista Launches Main Street Pilot Program

Registration opened last week for the 2022 Main Street Now Conference that will be held in Richmond, VA on May 16-18, 2022. Alongside our partners at Main Street America (MSA), all of us at Virginia Main Street (VMS) and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) are excited to come together and celebrate … More Register Now for the 2022 Main Street Now Conference!

Our guest blogger, Todd Wolford (pictured left), serves as the Executive Director of Wytheville’s local Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) organization, Downtown Wytheville, Inc. (DWI). Prior to working for DWI, Wolford was the Community Program Coordinator for the Town of Wytheville, where he oversaw all community programs, events and continued development of outdoor recreation. He possesses a strong passion for … More A View From Within: Todd Wolford Reflects on Appalachian Leadership Institute Experience

The Institute of Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) and Main Street America (MSA) will hold a webinar on February 10, 2022 from 2:00 – 3:15 p.m. to discuss how communities can use a portion of their federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations to support small business growth and development. Undeniably, ARPA represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for … More How Communities Can Use American Rescue Plan Act Allocations to Support Small Businesses