Author: Douglas Charles Jackson

Roanoke VA based writer and community coach.

New Virginia Main Street Commercial District Affiliates named

June 10, 2010

With the addition of two new  Commercial District Affiliates, the list of communities recognized as pursuing or exploring the Main Street Four Point Approach has grown to 98.  There are currently 21 designated Virginia Main Street (VMS) Communities across the commonwealth. These communities have all been nationally accredited by the National Trust Main Street Center for their work in … More New Virginia Main Street Commercial District Affiliates named

Getting serious about downtown entrepreneurship

June 2, 2010

Don Macke at the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship just sent out a summary of takeaways from an Economic Development Survey undertaken by the National League of Cities and the International County/City Management Association (ICMA).  The Center, an initiative of the Rural Policy Research Intsitiute (RUPRI)consistently puts out substantive resources for supporting entrepreneurial development.  Sign up here for … More Getting serious about downtown entrepreneurship

A Japanese city assesses its attraction of tourists, and its character

May 13, 2010

In the Virginia Department of Housing and  Community Development’s asset-based downtown planning process, the agency recommends that an out-of-town visitor be included in the assessment of the community and its potential. The reason: the uniqueness of place is often most overlooked by those who know it the best.   The point was demonstrated a few weeks ago when a Giles … More A Japanese city assesses its attraction of tourists, and its character

Rightsizing traffic for a people-friendly place

May 12, 2010

Downtown revitalization is problem solving with a wide variety of variables, and while we share best practices, each community must develop its own strategies and solutions. Take the problematic pedestrian-automobile relationship. The 1970’s pedestrian mall solution of removing cars altogether worked in a few places but not in most, and it turns out that the  most workable response … More Rightsizing traffic for a people-friendly place

Virginia Main Street announces Downtown Improvement Grant opportunity for designated communities

May 6, 2010

In an ongoing celebration of the Virginia Main Street’s 25th anniversary, the Virginia Main Street program has announced a rare funding opportunity specifically for designated Virginia Main Street communities.  Downtown Improvement Grants of up to $2,500 per designated community are now available for special, one-time projects.  The grant opportunity is designed to offer communities the ability … More Virginia Main Street announces Downtown Improvement Grant opportunity for designated communities

Be a virtual attendee at the Main Streets conference

May 4, 2010

If your travel budget didn’t allow  you to connect with peers from across the country in Oklahoma, you can still take a little time out of your day this afternoon or tomorrow to virtually attend one these upcoming presentations from the National Main Streets Conference taking place now in Oklahoma City.  Just visit the Web site at the designated time … More Be a virtual attendee at the Main Streets conference

Virginia Main Street 2009 annual report available online

May 4, 2010

In 2009 Virginia’s 21 designated communities employed a variety of organizational, design, promotional, and economic restructuring strategies to foster vibrant commercial districts. The Virginia Main Street 2009 Annual Report provides a summary of each community’s unique efforts and an overview of how, over the past 25 years, the program has sparked a total of more than $638 … More Virginia Main Street 2009 annual report available online

Blackstone featured as an escape destination in Washington Post

April 28, 2010

Downtown Blackstone was given the travel treatment by the Washington Post in Friday’s edition.  In her article featuring the Robert Thomas Carriage Museum, writer Becky Krystal toured the town and several other important assets, such as Schwartz Tavern and the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center. The review: positive, and in important ways as well.  In her overnight … More Blackstone featured as an escape destination in Washington Post