You have an idea. That’s where it starts. Now what do you do with the idea? You could start a business, but how do you make it viable? The Kauffman FastTrac program can help you find the answer. The Kauffman Foundation has been helping entrepreneurs for more than 50 years, and the FastTrac program has … More FastTrac Program Available for Entrepreneurs
Lexington is celebrating the start up of four new downtown businesses! On the evening of April 11, more than 100 fans witnessed a group of aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their best ideas for new downtown businesses in a one-night version of “Shark Tank,” with $60,000 in grants awarded. Main Street Lexington hosted Launch Lex, which provided … More Increase Your Small Business Success During National Small Business Week
On March 8, 12 – 1 p.m., Virginia Main Street is offering a free webinar focused on how to promote buying local and practical ways to build a resilient economy in your community. Local isn’t just a place on a map. It’s people: your neighbors and their families, their businesses, farms, nonprofits, events, and … More Webinar – Buy Local First: Driving Customers to Main Street for a Resilient Economy
During an annual legislative reception hosted last week, First Lady Pam Northam highlighted the findings of two just-completed studies showing the sustained and substantial contribution that historic preservation makes to Virginia’s economy, specifically through the state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits (HRTCs) One study, conducted by the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and … More New Report Shows Historic Tax Credits Boost Virginia’s Economy
Governor McAuliffe and Senator Warner recently announced a new initiative to match Virginia entrepreneurs with investors, called “Virginia is for Entrepreneurs” (VA4E). This initiative includes a new website (va4e.org) that includes a standardized online application to better link entrepreneurs with more than 50 investment firms and potential funders to help launch or grow their Virginia-based businesses. Any … More Virginia is for Entrepreneurs!
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will be holding a Building Entrepreneurial Economies (BEE) Innovation Day on Wednesday, December 6, in Charlottesville, VA. Community leaders and small business enthusiasts will discuss innovative ideas in entrepreneurship development, as well as offer inspiration and education to plan for and create a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem … More BEE Innovation Day 2017
While you were busy making a difference in your home town, you might have missed these thought-provoking posts: Holiday Customer Service: 7 Tips Retailers Should Not Ignore – Retail Minded Craft Beer’s Big Impact on Small Towns and Forgotten Neighborhoods – Curbed 6 Urban Projects Built Thanks to Online Civic Engagement – CitizenLab How to … More The District Digest Vol. 2 – Downtown Ideas to Put to Work
The Downtown Lynchburg Association (DLA) knows how to lift up their community. Right now they’re raising awareness of the hardworking entrepreneurs who, with their own hands, are making downtown the destination for local shopping. Our guest blogger, DLA Executive Director Ashley Kershner, gives us the goods. As part of our overall marketing strategy this year, … More Downtown Lynchburg: Where the Makers Are
Virginia Main Street has opened the application process for our first ever Commercial District Affiliate Grants! Affiliate Grants are designed to assist organizations and communities in achieving their downtown revitalization goals and be used for projects or planning purposes. The maximum grant amount is $7,000 and can be used for… non-profit organizational development; vision/mission development; … More VMS Commercial District Affiliate Grants Now Available!
On October 2, 12 – 1 p.m., Virginia Main Street is offering a free webinar focused on encouraging business growth in your downtown and helping existing businesses keep their doors open. One of the of the primary responsibilities of a Main Street program is to boost the economic growth of the business district. With … More Webinar – Business Booster: Recruitment and Retention Tactics for a Vibrant Downtown
Virginia Main Street 