Author: Department of Housing and Community Development

Congratulations to Virginia’s 2016 National Main Street Accredited Communities

December 20, 2016

Each year, the National Main Street Center and its coordinating program partners announce the list of accredited Main Street America programs in recognition of their exemplary commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach®. This year twenty-one Virginia Main Street Communities met the rigorous performance standards set by the National Main Street … More Congratulations to Virginia’s 2016 National Main Street Accredited Communities

Building Entrepreneurial Economies (BEE) Grants Awarded

December 14, 2016

Governor McAuliffe recently announced over $200,000 in Building Entrepreneurial Economies (BEE) grant awards for eight projects in the Commonwealth. The BEE grant program provides funding to local governments and nonprofit organizations for entrepreneurship programs aligned with local and regional economic development strategies, primarily in distressed communities and populations. “Small business development is a vital component … More Building Entrepreneurial Economies (BEE) Grants Awarded

Virginia Main Street Grants Announced

November 21, 2016

Governor McAuliffe recently announced $65,000 in Virginia Main Street program grant funding for five projects in the towns of Bedford and Blackstone, and the cities of Fredericksburg, Franklin and Winchester. The Downtown Investment Grants, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), are for design and economic vitality projects targeting areas of … More Virginia Main Street Grants Announced

The CRO Roadshow is coming to a location near you!

October 24, 2016

This fall, the DHCD Community Revitalization Office is traveling throughout the state to highlight community development and capacity building programs and grants. Whether you are looking to revitalize a derelict and blighted building in your community or are interested in using the Main Street approach to community revitalization, we will introduce you to our services and programs … More The CRO Roadshow is coming to a location near you!

Governor Announces Virginia Entrepreneurial Challenge

October 3, 2016

Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced that he is partnering with Virginia Commonwealth University and Junior Achievement of Central Virginia to host the Virginia Entrepreneurial Challenge on Saturday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 16 at the VCU School of Business. The challenge will be a weekend-long entrepreneurship boot camp for high school juniors and seniors. The … More Governor Announces Virginia Entrepreneurial Challenge

Building Entrepreneurial Economies (BEE) Innovation Day on Oct. 13 — Register Now!

September 9, 2016

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will be holding a Building Entrepreneurial Economies (BEE) Innovation Day on Thursday, Oct. 13 in Lynchburg, VA. This event will provide the opportunity for business leaders to share and discuss innovative ideas in entrepreneurship development. Several recent BEE Innovation and Implementation grant recipients will share about their BEE funded projects and how they … More Building Entrepreneurial Economies (BEE) Innovation Day on Oct. 13 — Register Now!

Revisit Your Community’s Unique Assets

August 24, 2016

The National Main Street Center publishes a Main Street Story of the Week each week. These articles share information, tips and advice from experts around the country. In one of the recently posted articles “Revisit Your Community’s Unique Assets: Connecting Asset-Based Economic Development to Community Transformation Strategies,” the author discusses leveraging unique, local assets to achieve economic … More Revisit Your Community’s Unique Assets

Homegrown Hospitality Development in Downtown St. Paul

August 15, 2016

In early July 2016, ground was broken in downtown St. Paul for a long-awaited $7.3 million boutique hotel that will be called the Western Front Hotel.  This project is a result of the hard work and drive of local leaders to take revitalization of downtown St. Paul into their own hands, embracing a community-initiated development … More Homegrown Hospitality Development in Downtown St. Paul

Tips for a Wonderful Experience at Downtown Intersections, Staunton, Virginia

July 6, 2016

Guest Blogger Julie Markowitz, director of Staunton Downtown Development Association, started with Main Street in 2006, armed with 10 years of experience in mall marketing and promotions. Staunton Downtown Development Association is delighted to host the first inaugural Virginia Main Street Downtown Intersections workshop in Staunton, Virginia on July 11-13, 2016. Welcome to Staunton, Main Street … More Tips for a Wonderful Experience at Downtown Intersections, Staunton, Virginia

Pulaski highlights “The Way We Worked” Smithsonian Exhibit

June 29, 2016

The Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit Service program, Museums on Main Street, brings exhibits to small towns across America. The most recent exhibit, “The Way We Worked,” showcases various working environments of American citizens, within the United States. This exhibit highlights the journey, struggle and triumph of the American workforce. One of Virginia Main Street’s Commercial District Affiliate partners, … More Pulaski highlights “The Way We Worked” Smithsonian Exhibit