Douglas Charles Jackson

The Heart at Work: Looking Back on What We Learned Through the Finding Main Street Series

February 21, 2023

In 2018, Virginia Main Street (VMS) crossed the state, exploring communities through the lens of songwriter and author Dar Williams’ What I Found in a Thousand Towns. In the resulting Finding Main Street series, staff interviewed downtown champions on issues that engaged them and challenges that excited them. In the heart of the community, VMS … More The Heart at Work: Looking Back on What We Learned Through the Finding Main Street Series

Video Highlights: Virginia Main Street Merit Awards

August 5, 2019

At the closing luncheon of Downtown Intersections—the gathering of Virginia’s Main Street and downtown revitalization network—eight awards marked the best of the year. Erik Johnston, director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development presented the awards, noting the power of collaborative effort toward in creating places that attract investment and people. Short videos—each … More Video Highlights: Virginia Main Street Merit Awards

How well is your loan fund rotating? Upcoming events feature resources, strategies and networks

July 26, 2019

Revolving loan funds are a key tool for business district revitalization. They can provide crucial gap financing, especially when the investment doesn’t meet the equity requirements of commercial financing or when a lower interest rate is needed to make the project work. Those conditions apply to a good percentage of start-up businesses and projects involving historic … More How well is your loan fund rotating? Upcoming events feature resources, strategies and networks

Finding Main Street Toolkit Available

January 16, 2019

The full book club toolkit for Dar Williams’ What I Found in a Thousand Towns is now available! Use the toolkit to build “positive proximity,” and start local conversations around the key identity-building assets in your community–who knows what next steps you will take. What I Found in a Thousand Towns emphasizes the role of projects … More Finding Main Street Toolkit Available

Host a Finding Main Street book club

August 21, 2018

Singer-songwriter Dar Williams launched Virginia Main Street’s Finding Main Street book club at the 2018 Downtown Intersections with a performance and talk on “Thinking in Bridges.” “We think we have so much divisiveness,” she said. “But the opposite of divisiveness is not unity. It is collaboration.” Williams found plenty of collaboration in the successful communities profiled … More Host a Finding Main Street book club

Opportunity SWVA pilots Kiva loan strategy

May 29, 2018

Community development partners across Southwest Virginia are piloting the use of the Kiva crowdfunding loan platform to help small businesses expand and add jobs. Opportunity SWVA, the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem collaborative identified five businesses in need of small loans. Over the next two weeks, the businesses are working to raise a total of $43,000 in … More Opportunity SWVA pilots Kiva loan strategy

Celebrate American Craft Week in your community and promote your local economy

August 13, 2014

The Artisans Center of Virginia (ACV) and ‘Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Network (RTM) are partnering with the support of the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) to celebrate American Craft Week on Oct. 3-12. During American Craft Week, arts-and-craft-related events from throughout the commonwealth will be promoted in a robust and coordinated fashion on http://www.virginia.org, www.americancraftweek.com, … More Celebrate American Craft Week in your community and promote your local economy

April 23 Opportunity Summit to Spotlight SWVA Entreprenteurship

April 4, 2013

An Opportunity Summit will highlight new strategies and resources for Southwest Virginia entrepreneurs and emerging businesses. Entrepreneurs and small business owners will have the opportunity to connect with community leaders and explore possible new ventures in the counties of Tazewell, Russell, Buchanan, Dickenson, Wise, Lee and Scott and the city of Norton. Entrepreneurs developing business plans and seeking … More April 23 Opportunity Summit to Spotlight SWVA Entreprenteurship

St. Paul Celebrates Main Street Designation

January 12, 2012

Residents of St. Paul, one of four newly designated Virginia Main Street communities, recently gathered to formally recognize the distinction and enlist new volunteers at a kick-off event in November. Attendees included more than 40 residents, Mayor Kyle Fletcher, Vice-Mayor Sharon Steele, Town Councilmember Monty Salyer and members of St. Paul Tomorrow, led by current … More St. Paul Celebrates Main Street Designation

Downtown Culpeper offers speciality store the right location

November 1, 2011

The concept of a store specializing in olive oils, high end vinegars and out-of the-ordinary spices is just right for downtown Culpeper, a district that has earned a reputation among epicures. Fine dining and quality provisions from merchants and a popular farmers’ market has made Davis Street a destination. However, that reputation alone may not … More Downtown Culpeper offers speciality store the right location