Author: Department of Housing and Community Development

Webinar – Business Booster: Recruitment and Retention Tactics for a Vibrant Downtown

September 14, 2017

On October 2, 12 – 1 p.m., Virginia Main Street is offering a free webinar focused on encouraging business growth in your downtown and helping existing businesses keep their doors open.   One of the of the primary responsibilities of a Main Street program is to boost the economic growth of the business district.  With … More Webinar – Business Booster: Recruitment and Retention Tactics for a Vibrant Downtown

The Heart of the Revitalization Process: Community Engagement

September 5, 2017

Warrenton has earned more than 25 years of wisdom as a Virginia Main Street Designated Community. In 2017, their Main Street program celebrated a reboot, a new “booster club” and mantra:  Experience Old Town Warrenton.  To get there, the first thing the community leaders did was invite all stakeholders to be proactive participants in the … More The Heart of the Revitalization Process: Community Engagement

Five Things your Economic Vitality Committee can do Today to Support Downtown

August 3, 2017

In my Virginia Main Street wanderings and conversations with directors I’ve been hearing a common refrain – “What should our Economic Vitality committee be doing?” A thought provoking question that I am sure goes unasked more often than asked. As fate would have it I recently participated in a Hillary Greenberg webinar on supporting small businesses … More Five Things your Economic Vitality Committee can do Today to Support Downtown

Main Street America Accredits 24 Virginia Communities

June 19, 2017

The National Main Street Center recently announced that 24 Virginia Main Street communities have been accredited for their performance in 2016 – congratulations to – Abingdon, Altavista, Ashland, Bedford, Berryville, Blackstone, Bristol, Culpeper, Danville, Farmville, Franklin, Fredericksburg, Gloucester, Harrisonburg, Hopewell, Luray, Lynchburg, Manassas, Marion, St. Paul, South Boston, Staunton, Winchester, and Wytheville The Main Street … More Main Street America Accredits 24 Virginia Communities

Virginia Main Street 2017 Merit Awards – Nominations are Open!

May 11, 2017

Downtown Intersections is just 62 days away! Virginia Main Street staff has been working hard to craft an agenda, secure speakers, develop walking tours and workshops that will educate, inspire, and empower our communities. Now we need your help to recognize achievement, innovation, and success in our Main Street communities. The Virginia Main Street 2017 … More Virginia Main Street 2017 Merit Awards – Nominations are Open!

Downtown Intersections 2017!

May 3, 2017

Virginia Main Street is happy (and excited) to announce that registration for Downtown Intersections 2017 is officially open! We will be in Winchester from Monday, July 10th through Wednesday, July 12th at the beautiful George Washington Hotel. Join us on Monday for an intensive board training. This is  designed to provide your board with the … More Downtown Intersections 2017!

A Tale of Two Community Engagement Events

April 24, 2017

As an inherently grassroots movement, effective community engagement is an essential component of any successful Main Street program. Without it, organization’s cannot effectively plan their work, recruit volunteers and board members, promote the district, or communicate impact. Main Street must be community driven. This week I had the opportunity to participate in two very different community … More A Tale of Two Community Engagement Events

Virginia Downtown Development Association Happy Hour!

April 7, 2017

Just a few short years ago Scott’s Addition was little more than a cluster of manufacturing and light industrial adjacent to the railyard. A handful of early 20th-century row houses remained from the early, residential days of the neighborhood, as well as a couple of quaint diners. Fast forward to 2017 and the neighborhood has … More Virginia Downtown Development Association Happy Hour!

Can-Do Spirit Equals Success

March 1, 2017

Small rural communities often get discouraged either because they feel they are “too small” to make effectual changes in a slow economy or the revitalization needs of the community just seem too overwhelming. Not so for the inspirational town of Water Valley, Mississippi. According to this article, a couple who fell in love with the people in this … More Can-Do Spirit Equals Success