Category: Economic Restructuring

Micro-loans a resource for downtown entrepreneurs

August 2, 2010

A recent New York Times article, “With Credit Tight Microlending Blossoms,” highlights the nation’s growing micro-enterprise resources. Long popular as an anti-poverty strategy in developing countries and gaining a foothold here over the past two decades, micro-loans are providing more access to entrepreneurs now squeezed out of traditional credit markets. Kiva, an international micro-lender founded … More Micro-loans a resource for downtown entrepreneurs

Guest blogger “Downtown Dan” Howe: Franklin awaits

July 16, 2010

There’s still time to register for the Virginia Main Street Summer Toolkit (until Monday), and the board and staff of Downtown Franklin, Inc. are eager to welcome you to our district. We’re going to spend a day and a half (July 22 and 23) focused on “Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Downtown.”   The speakers are top-notch, and this is a vital … More Guest blogger “Downtown Dan” Howe: Franklin awaits

Virginia Main Street Downtown Improvement Grants awarded

June 29, 2010

Seven designated Virginia Main Street (VMS) communities have been awarded VMS Downtown Improvement Grants in a special initiative marking the program’s 25th anniversary. Successful proposals in the competitive process demonstrated:  Measurable impacts or deliverables; Committee or volunteer project leadership/involvement; Partnerships and resource leveraging; Local government involvement or support; Up-to-date program reporting; and The ability to complete the … More Virginia Main Street Downtown Improvement Grants awarded

South Boston puts on a show

June 18, 2010

The performing arts are at home on Main Streets throughout Virginia. Commissioned works on a regional theme premiere at Abingdon’s Barter Theatre.  Shakespearean tragedies move audiences at the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton. And audiences around the country tune in to watch bluegrass legends pick and sing on Song of the Mountains from the stage of Marion’s Lincoln Theatre.  South Boston’s Prizery has added to that list … More South Boston puts on a show

Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Downtown: Summer toolkit registration now open

June 18, 2010

Wouldn’t you like to have a downtown filled with energetic and forward thinking businesses? In today’s fast changing economy, success belongs to those nimble risk takers who understand that their job is to fill consumer demand; The Entrepreneurs.  Join the Virginia Main Street network of downtown revitalization professionals and volunteers in Franklin on July 22 and 23 … More Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Downtown: Summer toolkit registration now open

The entrepreneur as community problem solver

June 16, 2010

Give an entrepreneur a challenge and let them rise to it.  That strategy is fueling two transportation efficiency efforts, and it may provide a much needed model for community problem-solving.  In one case, Oliver Kuttner, a Lynchburg entrepreneur, is responding to the fuel efficiency challenge made by Progressive Automotive’s X-Prize: to create a practical, safe car that can travel 100 miles on … More The entrepreneur as community problem solver

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

The unexpected entrepreneur

May 21, 2010

If you were asked to describe an entrepreneur, what words would you use?  Maybe terms like “bright, energetic, or magnetic.”  This 2004 article in the aptly named magazine Entrepreneur, gives a whole host of other terms, not all of them complimentary.  Two descriptions of an entrepreneur that most people would not use are “ex-felon,” and … More The unexpected entrepreneur

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

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