community

Harrisonburg Downtown 2040: Engaging Master Planning through Community Input

March 31, 2021

Partnering together, the City of Harrisonburg and Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance (HDR) have launched Harrisonburg Downtown 2040, a community-driven plan for Downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia. Throughout 2021, the planning process will unfold, and it will be completed during the fall. As the project gains momentum, members of the community have been invited to envision the next 20 … More Harrisonburg Downtown 2040: Engaging Master Planning through Community Input

Hybrid Business Whips Up Coffee with a Shot of Asset Building in Downtown Suffolk

January 18, 2021

In October 2020, Downtown Suffolk Business Launch winners and real estate brokers Domenick Epps and Danita Hayes launched Wall Street Café on Washington Street in downtown Suffolk. “Great food, great coffee, great conversation and [financial] education is what the atmosphere of Wall Street Café is all about!” – Danita Hayes Emphasizing the role of entrepreneurs … More Hybrid Business Whips Up Coffee with a Shot of Asset Building in Downtown Suffolk

Creating Interactive Apptivities for Downtowns

January 13, 2021

We don’t yet know what the new normal will be after the COVID-19 crisis winds down. But, we do know that keeping people engaged with places and people throughout the pandemic is a key to keeping them engaged in the future. One way to provide socially distant activities is through guided smartphone-based apptivities, such as … More Creating Interactive Apptivities for Downtowns

Be Positive: Dealing Disaster Part 2 of 2

October 7, 2020

While earthquakes and tornadoes are rare in most of the commonwealth, hurricane season is a regular fixture on our calendars in Virginia. The season typically runs from June to November with heightened activity August to October. This is the second of a blog series centered on Danville, Virginia’s experience recovering from Hurricane Michael in 2018 … More Be Positive: Dealing Disaster Part 2 of 2

Be Prepared: Dealing with Disaster Part 1 of 2

September 30, 2020

While earthquakes and tornadoes are rare in most of the commonwealth, hurricane season is a regular fixture on our calendars in Virginia. The season typically runs from June to November with heightened activity August to October. In October 2018, Hurricane Michael raised to the Dan River to flood stage, causing damaged roads and buildings, and even … More Be Prepared: Dealing with Disaster Part 1 of 2

Webinar: Communicating to Main Street during Crisis

April 10, 2020

Join us April 16 from 11 a.m. to noon for the webinar, Communicating to Main Street during Crisis. In this webinar, Ben Muldrow of Arnett Muldrow will share his thoughts and approach on what community leaders, Main Street directors and boards can do now during the public health emergency and how best to support their … More Webinar: Communicating to Main Street during Crisis

Main Spotlight: What Does Supporting Local Really Look Like?

December 26, 2019

“Supporting local is more than just a hashtag, it is a lifestyle.” Featured recently in Main Street America’s Main Spotlight, Downtown Wytheville Inc. Executive Director Todd Wolford contributes a message that speaks from the heart to customers supporting local businesses. Local holiday spending is certainly a gift, but making that continuous effort year round is … More Main Spotlight: What Does Supporting Local Really Look Like?

The Power of Business and Non-profit Partnerships

June 25, 2019

Guest Blogger Julie Markowitz, Director of Staunton Downtown Development Association (SDDA), started with Main Street in 2006 armed with ten years of experience in mall marketing and promotions. Our StauntoNites event grant program, which was designed to incentivize businesses to stay open until 8 PM Saturday nights and host an in-store event to stimulate a … More The Power of Business and Non-profit Partnerships

Celebrate Small Business Week: May 5 – 11, 2019

May 7, 2019

National Small Business Week is a week-long spring celebration to honor the thousands of small and locally owned businesses that make up the country’s local economies (May 5 – 11, 2019). Celebrations span the local, state and federal levels, as consumers, elected officials, Main Street, and small businesses come together to recognize the important impact … More Celebrate Small Business Week: May 5 – 11, 2019

Life of a Virginia Main Street Manager

March 25, 2019

Recently, Main Street America’s #MainSpotlight featured a great article about the Main Street executive director experience from one of Virginia’s own, Todd Wolford of Downtown Wytheville Inc. It cover’s Todd’s three-year experience achieving confidence and effectiveness in his role. One of Virginia’s new directors said, “He’s like a Main Street director’s medium”. He practically read … More Life of a Virginia Main Street Manager