The recent history of one of Virginia travelers’ favorite Main Street communities was recently showcased in Preservation – The Magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Secret of Staunton’s Success explains how the city used historic preservation as an economic engine to transform the downtown. Starting with the restoration of a handful of … More Staunton in Preservation Magazine
As you may have noticed while walking along Main Street, January is typically a slow season for many retailers as consumers try to pay off bills accumulated during the holidays. Hopefully, Main Street retailers have planned for and are prepared to weather this annual slow season. MyBusiness.com offers several tips to help retailers make the most … More Helping Main Street Merchants Weather the Winter Doldrums
Waynesboro City Council unanimously approved a resolution to support city staff in gaining recognition as an official Appalachian Trail Community on October 25, 2011. This designation would officially recognize the ongoing partnership between the city of Waynesboro and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and provide the city with promotional and economic development support. Benefits of this … More Waynesboro Applying to Become Designated Appalachian Trail Community
On October 13, 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $9.2 million investment in the promotion of local farmers markets through the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP). As the FMPP website states, “These grants are targeted to help improve and expand domestic farmers’ markets, roadside stands, community-supported agricultural programs, agri-tourism activities and other direct … More Partner in Promotion: The USDA Farmer’s Market Promotion Program
“Tourism is an instant revenue generator and job creator for Virginia, which is why I continue to advocate for more resources for tourism marketing. Smart investments in tourism provide economic benefits to communities across the Commonwealth and good jobs for our citizens.” – Gov. Bob McDonnell According to a press release issued by the Governor’s … More A Call to Promotion – Tourism on the Rise in VA
In October, Harrisonburg will become the first city in the Shenandoah Valley, and one of only a handful of cities in the state, with a public, Level II electric car charging station. Located behind Harrisonburg Electric Commission (HEC) in downtown Harrisonburg, the charging station will provide citizens with clean energy for their electric vehicles and … More Harrisonburg drives downtown strategy for electric charging stations
This video, promoting Downtown Lynchburg, is terrific. It’s even better when you know that it was done through the volunteer efforts of Lynch’s Landing board member Tony Camm and a bunch of spirited merchant and community participants. Camm, manager of the Downtown Lynchburg Holiday Inn, put a musical pastime to work for the community, writing the song … More Hip-hop highlights: Lynchburg video features merchants and real community spirit
Main Street efforts are already bringing together economic, social and environmental goals in pursuit of fostering quality in their communities. To push it a step futher, 70 participants gathered in Staunton in July for two days of conversation on and the examination of sustainability models in Virginia. Speakers included Andrea Dono of the National Trust for … More Sustainable Main Street resources available
Nominations are being accepted through June 30 for the 2011 Tayloe Murphy Resilience Award. The award, given by the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, is a unique competition honoring entrepreneurial businesses that demonstrate sustained vitality and commitment to Virginia communities facing high unemployment, high poverty and low entrepreneurial activity. Each year five Resilience Award winners receive … More Nominate a business for the 2011 Tayloe Murphy Resilience Award
Virginia Main Street’s Downtown Improvement Grant provided Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association (MURA) an opportunity to roll out a long-planned district awareness and shop local campaign. The effort, broadly dubbed “This is Uptown,” includes a number of strategies, such as a loyalty card offering discounts with merchants across the district. The free cards are limited to 500, 350 of which … More Uptown Martinsville’s Downtown Improvement Grant at work
Virginia Main Street 