Author: Department of Housing and Community Development

Market Your Main Street: Low-cost, high-impact strategies to get out your message

May 15, 2015

Your Main Street program is tasked with meeting the needs of many different stakeholders: visitors, business owners, municipalities, donors, volunteers, etc. How you communicate your message to a wide audience with different interests requires segmenting them and then having separate conversations unique to their interests. Join the National Main Street Center for a webinar led … More Market Your Main Street: Low-cost, high-impact strategies to get out your message

May 2015 is Business Appreciation Month

May 1, 2015

Governor McAuliffe recognizes May 2015 as Business Appreciation Month. DHCD has provided a list of ways you can celebrate this month-long recognition on our site at BUSINESS APPRECIATION MONTH.  The site features downloadable versions of the logos for you to use on your material, as well as ways to celebrate your local businesses and potential ways to … More May 2015 is Business Appreciation Month

DHCD announces Virginia Main Street Milestone Award Winners

March 20, 2015

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development announced today the Virginia Main Street Program Milestone Achievement Awards to designated Virginia Main Street communities. The awards were presented at a dinner in Richmond that also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Virginia program. “The Virginia Main Street program is a vital part of building a … More DHCD announces Virginia Main Street Milestone Award Winners

Walk the Line of Country Music History: Bristol and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum

November 6, 2014

 Many downtowns have a community anchor, such as a cultural heritage museum, that helps bring a number of new visitors to town.  These visitors have the potential to not only create significant economic impact, but also help spread the word about your downtown. We asked our guest blogger, Rene Rodgers, associate curator at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum … More Walk the Line of Country Music History: Bristol and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum

Helping our businesses get the financing they need

October 9, 2014

Many small businesses and potential entrepreneurs in our downtowns struggle getting the financing they need to start or expand their business. We asked guest blogger Christina Cain, executive director at Staunton Creative Community Fund, to share some strategies for how her organization has been able to help small businesses gain access to capital. The biggest obstacle to … More Helping our businesses get the financing they need

Small Business Saturday: Sign up to be a Neighborhood Champion!

September 30, 2014

Make an Impact in the Place you Call Home Become a Neighborhood Champion by October 16 at ShopSmall.com/Mainstreet  In partnership with American Express, the National Main Street Center would like to invite you to become a Neighborhood Champion for Small Business Saturday® to help make Nov. 29 one of the biggest days of the year … More Small Business Saturday: Sign up to be a Neighborhood Champion!

Damascus planned as year-round destination

September 25, 2014

Many VMS communities and other localities that DHCD partners with, like Damascus,  recognize the importance of connecting downtowns to the surrounding outdoor recreation assets.  We asked guest blogger Nick Proctor, community development and outdoor recreation specialist for the Friends of Southwest Virginia, to share how it is working in one small community in Southwest Virginia.   Muddy … More Damascus planned as year-round destination

VMS 2014 Summer Toolkit: At a glance

August 26, 2014

On July 15-16, Main Street organizations and community organizations gathered in Farmville, Virginia to learn more about how they could attract and support local entrepreneurs and small businesses. Training kicked off with a panel discussion with local business owners in Farmville: Caryn’s Bridal, Sandy River Retreat and Charley’s Waterfront Cafe. They shared valuable insight with the group … More VMS 2014 Summer Toolkit: At a glance

Virginia Main Street grants available

August 21, 2014

The Virginia Main Street program has two grant opportunities available for designated communities. These applications are due by August 29, 2014. Applications must be submitted in CAMS. Downtown Investment Grants (DIG) will help local Main Street organizations accelerate the economic revitalization of their historic commercial districts by allowing them to implement innovative strategies, plans and … More Virginia Main Street grants available