Department of Housing and Community Development

Small Real Estate Developer Training and Capacity Building Program

February 13, 2019

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has partnered with Incremental Development Alliance to provide the Small Real Estate Developer Training and Capacity Building Program, supported with funding from the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA). DHCD and VHDA want to cultivate new and grow the capacity of existing small-scale real estate developers throughout Virginia. … More Small Real Estate Developer Training and Capacity Building Program

What is a “brownfield?”

January 14, 2019

Often, we think of brownfields as large industrial properties with environmental contamination and hazardous materials. However, a broader definition includes real property, the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. This means that the Virginia Brownfield Restoration and Economic Development Assistance … More What is a “brownfield?”

Update: VMS Idea Pitch! Winner – Blackstone

January 4, 2019

Guest blogger Zachary Whitlow, executive director of Downtown Blackstone Inc., provides an update on their Blackstone Town Square Revitalization Project that won the VMS Idea Pitch! Award at Downtown Intersections 2018. We were incredibly excited and grateful to have been chosen as the winner of the first annual Main Street Idea Pitch! competition. The presentation … More Update: VMS Idea Pitch! Winner – Blackstone

For the New Year, Practice an Attitude of Gratitude

January 2, 2019

Traditionally, when one year wraps up and a new one begins, we, as individuals, start thinking forward in resolutions. It’s no different for Main Street nonprofits, as a new work plan provides the blueprint for the change the board of directors envisions for the district. It is no doubt a great idea to start off … More For the New Year, Practice an Attitude of Gratitude

Small Business Resource Guide now available

December 11, 2018

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has developed a Small Business Resource Guide that provides information on many of the items that new or expanding small businesses and entrepreneurs need. This includes financing programs, grant programs, business development resources and training opportunities, as well as university entrepreneurship programs that are available to the … More Small Business Resource Guide now available

How To Apply Workshops coming in January!

December 4, 2018

The Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Community Development Division will be holding how-to-apply workshops across the commonwealth in January as several grant programs will open for application submissions on January 2, 2019. DHCD’s grant programs offer flexible resources that allows communities and local/regional organizations do more to create vibrant communities. The workshops will … More How To Apply Workshops coming in January!

Recognizing the Hard Work on Main Street: Western Front Hotel

November 6, 2018

At the 2018 Downtown Intersections in Harrisonburg, we continued the tradition of acknowledging outstanding achievements in comprehensive downtown revitalization efforts through Merit Awards. They recognize the hard work, dedication and success of Virginia’s Main Street communities and their achievements across the four points of the Main Street Approach®. This is the fourth in a blog … More Recognizing the Hard Work on Main Street: Western Front Hotel

Makerspaces: Coworking spaces with Cool Stuff

November 1, 2018

Makerspaces, much like coworking spaces, are on the rise in the United States. There are now over 500 such spaces across the country, and that number is expected to continue to grow. They can be located in schools, libraries, community centers or as their own for-profit or nonprofit organizations. Makerspaces are basically shared working spaces … More Makerspaces: Coworking spaces with Cool Stuff

Coworking Spaces: The new office space for the future of work

October 11, 2018

There has been a meteoric growth in the number of coworking spaces in the United States, from an estimated 14 in 2007 to more than 11,000 in 2017. The number is expected to balloon to over 26,000 by 2020! This growth has mirrored the growth of workers working in the “gig” economy, with an estimated … More Coworking Spaces: The new office space for the future of work

Vote Your Main Street!

September 25, 2018

Danville’s Main Street program – the River District Association – is a FINALIST for the 2018 Partners in Preservation: Main Street campaign! You are invited to #VoteYourMainStreet from NOW until Oct. 26 to decide which historic sites along 20 of America’s favorite Main Streets should receive $2 million in preservation funding from American Express. Partners in … More Vote Your Main Street!