Organization – Page 9 – Virginia Main Street

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

Altavista’s first historic district

April 12, 2010

Altavista arose in the late 19th century, soon after the regional Virginian Railway extended an east-west line, intersecting with the Southern Railway, a major east coast corridor. The Lane brothers, realizing the commercial opportunity, purchased 2,000 acres at the junction, and proceeded to build Altavista and the Lane Home Furnishings from a fledgling cedar chest … More Altavista’s first historic district

VMS to Celebrate 25 Years

March 18, 2010

On March 25, the commonwealth will officially celebrate 25 years of Main Street revitalization at Lynchburg’s Craddock Terry Hotel. The anniversary dinner will combine special acknowledgement of the quarter-century mark with the annual Milestones Award ceremony. The event will feature special guest speaker Chuck D’Aprix, president of The Downtown Entrepreneurship Project, dinner and live music. … More VMS to Celebrate 25 Years

Hawk or ground squirrel?

February 5, 2010

“You have to ask yourself….are you the hawk, or are you the ground squirrel?” The question kicked off the 2010 Virginia Main Street Manager’s Retreat at Radford’s Selu Retreat Center last week. Eighteen Main Street program managers from across the commonwealth gathered for a day and a half of focus on mission-based financial management. And while the Main … More Hawk or ground squirrel?

Guest Blogger: Orange’s Jeff Curtis on rallying Main Street around customer service training

December 17, 2009

We’re turning over the space today to Jeff Curtis, director of the Orange Downtown Alliance for some tips on rallying downtown merchants for an effective training. One of the recurring issues addressed in our Business Development Committee meetings has been customer service, or more specifically, the lack of it. It’s an important issue for any community, and especially … More Guest Blogger: Orange’s Jeff Curtis on rallying Main Street around customer service training

Virginia Main Street celebrity siting

October 19, 2009

The Star Exponent says it was Culpeper’s “cool and unassuming” nature that drew a rock icon to town last week. And there’s probably something to that. The town’s Main Street effort, led by Culpeper Renaissance, Inc., has done much to foster the town as an epicurean destination. A vibrant farmer’s market, gourmet food and wine shops, and fine dining … More Virginia Main Street celebrity siting

A press interview with Rocky Mount’s Katie McElroy

October 13, 2009

A recent Roanoke Times article gave newly hired executive director Katie McElroy an opportunity to promote the work of the Community Partnership for Revitalization, the nonprofit organization that coordinates Rocky Mount’s uptown and downtown revitalization efforts. The article, “Future the Focus in Rocky Mount”, spotlighted McElroy, who used the media’s interest in her hiring to get word out about the organization’s strategies … More A press interview with Rocky Mount’s Katie McElroy

Turning the economy on its head

August 31, 2009

Fast Company reports that Facebook is increasing its staff by 50 percent. The nearly 500-employee increase is substantial in a good economy, and in current recessionary times, it’s a flat out boon. But why, at a time when ad revenues are down, would an expansion like this make sense? For one, costs of doing business … More Turning the economy on its head

Seventy get strategic at Winchester Toolkit

August 21, 2009

Revitalization experts, downtown professionals and volunteers came together for two days of focused exploration of Main Street strategies at the 2009 Virginia Main Street toolkit, “Getting Strategic About Main Street.” Participants represented more than 25 Virginia localities. Communities with the highest representation included included the host community of Winchester, Harrisonburg (four attendees), Radford (three), and Franklin … More Seventy get strategic at Winchester Toolkit

Tell us what you think.

July 21, 2009

When a financial crisis arrives, it is too late to try to make the case for all the services your downtown organization provides to the community. You need to be spending that time engaging your support base and selling the future. To do that, there has to be a broad based system of support throughout the … More Tell us what you think.