Category: Entrepreneurs

Hello from Milwaukee: Main Street Now Conference this week

May 23, 2016

Beginning May 23-25, Virginia Main Street (VMS) staff and more than 25 staff and volunteers from the VMS designated communities are in downtown Milwaukee for Main Street Now, the National Main Street Center conference. Main Street Now is the largest nationwide gathering of commercial district revitalization professionals and community leaders in the nation. This year, the conference will bring together more … More Hello from Milwaukee: Main Street Now Conference this week

Small business training resource

May 17, 2016

Sometimes our downtown business owners are busy minding their shop and cannot attend in-person training. Sometimes they have just an hour during lunch break to take advantage of a short class. Knowing these challenges, the Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator has teamed up with the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) and Washington County Virginia Chamber … More Small business training resource

Building Entrepreneurial Economies (BEE) grant deadline extended to end of May

May 13, 2016

The application deadline for the 2017 Building Entrepreneurial Economies (BEE) grant program has been extended through May 31, 2016. BEE grants provide resources to small business development organizations, local governments, planning district commissions and other nonprofit organizations that deliver services to entrepreneurs in new and original ways. Organizations may apply for up to $15,000 for … More Building Entrepreneurial Economies (BEE) grant deadline extended to end of May

Launch Gloucester announces winner of first Community Business Launch

June 1, 2015

A bakery and cafe, a business catering to pets and pet owners and a massage and wellness clinic will be the newest businesses to open or expand on Main Street following the Launch Gloucester awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 19.  Participants in the entrepreneur contest that launched earlier this year also got a surprise element … More Launch Gloucester announces winner of first Community Business Launch

May 2015 is Business Appreciation Month

May 1, 2015

Governor McAuliffe recognizes May 2015 as Business Appreciation Month. DHCD has provided a list of ways you can celebrate this month-long recognition on our site at BUSINESS APPRECIATION MONTH.  The site features downloadable versions of the logos for you to use on your material, as well as ways to celebrate your local businesses and potential ways to … More May 2015 is Business Appreciation Month

Helping our businesses get the financing they need

October 9, 2014

Many small businesses and potential entrepreneurs in our downtowns struggle getting the financing they need to start or expand their business. We asked guest blogger Christina Cain, executive director at Staunton Creative Community Fund, to share some strategies for how her organization has been able to help small businesses gain access to capital. The biggest obstacle to … More Helping our businesses get the financing they need

VMS 2014 Summer Toolkit: At a glance

August 26, 2014

On July 15-16, Main Street organizations and community organizations gathered in Farmville, Virginia to learn more about how they could attract and support local entrepreneurs and small businesses. Training kicked off with a panel discussion with local business owners in Farmville: Caryn’s Bridal, Sandy River Retreat and Charley’s Waterfront Cafe. They shared valuable insight with the group … More VMS 2014 Summer Toolkit: At a glance

Supporting business development in Gloucester

June 27, 2014

** Guest blogger Margie Johnson, Shop Talk In recognition of Virginia’s Business Appreciation Month, I would like to share a little bit about how the Gloucester Main Street Preservation Trust, an affiliate of Virginia Main Street, supports and strengthens local Main Street businesses. Throughout the last three years, the trust, under the leadership of Executive Director Jenny … More Supporting business development in Gloucester