People Incorporated has been in the business of changing lives since 1964. Headquartered in Abingdon in Washington County, the non-profit community action agency and community development organization has been working to revitalize a community in Southwest Virginia for nearly 10 years. Trammel was one of the earliest “coal camp” communities in the Appalachian Mountains in … More People Incorporated Revitalizes Historic Southwest Virginia Community

Hilton Village Main Street (HVMS) recently welcomed Bird Girl Bottle Shop, a new indoor / outdoor bottle shop for both traditional and non-alcoholic beverages and artisan pizzas. Bird Girl offers carefully curated craft beer, wine, a rotating selection of pizzas, and outdoor seating on a large deck for nearly 50 guests. Owners Britt and Derek … More A Spot for Everyone in Hilton Village

Through Virginia Main Street’s (VMS) Firm Principles, Flexible Paths series, the Center of Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) is diving into their 7 Actionable Principles (7APs) to strengthen nonprofits and their relationships with funders. The 7APs offer a common language around key and proven practices, infused with values of equity and growth. The fifth principle relates to … More Firm Principles, Flexible Paths: Develop Leaders

*be sure to check out FY25 CBL How-to-Apply Webinar registration details at the bottom of this post It’s a story all too familiar to those who work in downtown revitalization. Unengaged property owners allow buildings to remain vacant. Buildings fall into disrepair. Buildings become too expensive or cost-prohibitive to repair, restore, and return to active … More Launch LYH: Forging Building Owner Relationships for Long-Term Success

During the month of January, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team published eight blog posts, highlighting the latest community-vitality news, events and more! Here’s a recap: Design Experience Old Town Warrenton’s (EOTW) “You Are Home” mural is almost complete! The new mural, which showcases the Blue Ridge mountains in a bold and bright style, sits at the … More In Case You Missed It: January 2024 Digest

During the 2024 Virginia Main Street (VMS) Director’s Retreat, Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) programs were recognized for their outstanding achievements in revitalization efforts. Over the years, these vibrant communities have not only witnessed significant building improvements but have also seen a surge in volunteer hours and private investment, contributing to their overall growth and … More Virginia Main Street Communities Receive Milestone Achievement Awards

Recently, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team received an Innovation Award from the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) in recognition and appreciation of their outstanding service and contribution to the agency, specifically the game-changing new Mobilizing Main Street (MMS) program. The program provides capacity building services to prepare participating communities for the responsibilities of Advancing Virginia … More Virginia Main Street Team Receives Innovation Award

Over the years, small commercial corridor businesses and entrepreneurs have been able to sustain and scale up operations with the assistance of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). CDFIs are lenders with a mission to provide equitable, responsible financing to communities that aren’t typically reached by mainstream finance. They can be banks, credit unions or loan … More What Is a CDFI and How Can Your Community Benefit?

Main Street is Economic Development, and local Main Street organizations have a role to play in creating economic growth. One way that they do this is by creating a healthy ecosystem for entrepreneurs and providing services that support the creation and expansion of locally-owned businesses. Many communities accomplish this through grant and training programs like … More Business Recruitment for Main Streets

A design committee is an important part of any of Main Street organization! It plays a key role in molding the aesthetics and environment of your downtown and helps preserve your community’s unique character, while planning ahead for how to incorporate and guide future changes. Here are a few ways to get your design committee … More Engaging Your Design Committee