Category: Economic Restructuring

Virginia Enterprise Initiative Workshops

October 14, 2010

The Virginia Enterprise Initiative (VEI) will hold informational workshops highlighting partnership and funding opportunities that can extend training, technical assistance, and capital to Virginia’s next wave of very small and emerging businesses. VEI, Virginia’s micro-enterprise initiative, provides financial resources to nonprofit organizations that specialize in the delivery of training, support, technical assistance, and loans to … More Virginia Enterprise Initiative Workshops

Be a Culpeper Local

October 13, 2010

Culpeper, Virginia just received some good press after it unleashed its new shop local campaign, Be a Culpeper Local.  The campaign combines educating the nearly 50,000 Culpeper County residents on the value of buying locally with a website, beaculpeperlocal.com that directs visitors to local shopping and dining options, specials, and a way to track how much … More Be a Culpeper Local

Designing a Marketplace

October 7, 2010

Is your economic restructuring committee effective?  Challenges like recruiting businesses and interpreting expensive and technical market studies discourage eager volunteers. There’s no immediate result after hours of meetings and planning.  Pressure to see results from business owners, local government and the community compounds the frustration. It’s easy for this committee, in particular, to go inactive. Main Street organizations all over America … More Designing a Marketplace

Downtown leaders cover Main Street Essentials at Abingdon training

October 6, 2010

On Sep. 22 and 23, Advance Abingdon hosted 70 downtown revitalization professionals and volunteers from across Virginia for a training and knowledge share of best practices in the organization and promotion of downtown revitalization efforts. National Trust Main Street Center Senior Program Officer Kathy LaPlante, a nationally recognized expert on community based downtown revitalization, presented … More Downtown leaders cover Main Street Essentials at Abingdon training

Virginia Main Street foodies pick their favorites

September 3, 2010

Virginia Main Street blog readers logged on in record number to select their favorite Main Street eateries. In just over a month nearly 59,000 votes were cast for one of 25 restaurants. Nearly half of the votes were for South Boston’s BISTRO 1888. And it’s a worthy top choice. The Bistro demonstrates what first-class food and downtown … More Virginia Main Street foodies pick their favorites

Virginia Tourism’s wine tweets win award

August 20, 2010

Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) has a track record of excellence in tourism marketing. The agency recently celebrated 40 years of the longstanding Virginia is for Lovers campaign. While they’ve maintained that well loved umbrella brand, they’ve also successfully continued and grown a host of niche marketing efforts, speaking to the specific tastes and demands of travelers. A recent Twitter campaign … More Virginia Tourism’s wine tweets win award

Virginia tops business lists

August 18, 2010

Pollina Corporate Real Estate  named Virginia the country’s “Top Pro-Business State” for the second year in a row. The study ranks states based on 31 factors including taxes, human resources, energy costs, infrastructure spending, economic incentive programs and state economic development efforts. And it’s not the only organization touting the Old Dominion. Forbes Magazine has named Virginia “the best … More Virginia tops business lists

Before, during, and after-event tips for downtown merchants

August 16, 2010

As a Main Street organization,  gaining the confidence and support of your local merchants isn’t easy, especially when it comes to downtown events.  Closing the street can impede the access of loyal customers  to their favorite shops. Hoards of event guests asking to use the shop’s bathroom can frustrate owners.  It can add up to strained relations with the … More Before, during, and after-event tips for downtown merchants

Pop-up shops a temporary solution to the empty storefront

August 10, 2010

With commercial real estate continuing to reel from the economic downturn, some major brands are looking at temporary leases in heavy volume areas.  Empty storefronts are not good for anyone, and leases in desireable areas have become much more flexible. These “pop-up” stores are potential strategies for fledging businesses trying out a concept, artists promoting their work, … More Pop-up shops a temporary solution to the empty storefront

Staunton to host Virginia Microenterprise Network conference

August 6, 2010

On September 30 and October 1,  the designated Virginia Main Street community of Staunton will host the annual Virginia Microenterprise Network  conference. This year’s  theme is Revitalizing Neighborhoods through Entrepreneurship. The program includes a look at entrepreneurship in the Queen City;  the role of craft,  green building, and farm-based strategies in revitalization; identifying and supporting emerging neighborhood entrepreneurs; and … More Staunton to host Virginia Microenterprise Network conference