During the month of December, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team published seven blog posts, highlighting the latest community-vitality news, events and more! Here’s a recap: Training / Education In October, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and Virginia Main Street (VMS) team welcomed Joe Borgstrom of Place + Main Advisors to Virginia to conduct a series of workshops focused on … More In Case You Missed It: December 2023 Digest

This season often prompts reflection as the days wind down and offers the opportunity to review the year’s challenges and achievements. Virginia Main Street (VMS) communities, as well as the Coordinating Program itself, have had a very eventful 2023.  In January, Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) executive directors gathered in Wytheville for the annual VMS … More Virginia Main Street: A Year in Review

In fall of 2023, two of 10 Mobilizing Main Street (MMS) communities – Martinsville’s Uptown Partnership and The Phoebus Partnership – engaged in fund development training with consultant Jennifer Goldman of Jennifer E. Goldman, LLC. Board members and staff participated in a training and strategy session that included a presentation, discussions, and activities with an … More Mobilizing Fund Development Services for Long-Term Success and Sustainability

St. Paul continues to punch above its weight in downtown revitalization! With support from a $10,000 Virginia Main Street (VMS) Downtown Investment Grant (DIG), the community recently completed an alleyway activation project, creating a pocket-sized outdoor eating space between two restaurants that hosts both permanent and temporary art exhibits. One temporary exhibition space is truly … More Activating an Alleyway With Art in St. Paul

In early October, Rebecca Rowe, associate director of community vitality at DHCD, presented “Virginia Main Street: Partnering for Success” to the towns meeting at the Virginia Municipal League Conference in Norfolk. This post contains a synopsis of the key takeaways from that presentation. What is Main Street, and why does it matter to your community? … More Effective Partnerships for Local Governments and Main Street

In October, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and Virginia Main Street (VMS) team welcomed Joe Borgstrom of Place + Main Advisors to Virginia to conduct a series of workshops focused on what it means to be a “development-ready” community. Each training provided participants with a deeper understanding of real estate development and … More Reflection & Opportunity: A Look Back at the Development-Ready Communities Workshops

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 third principle emphasizes the … More Firm Principles, Flexible Paths: Build Relationships

During the month of November, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team published six blog posts, highlighting the latest community-vitality news, events and more! Here’s a recap: Downtown Accessibility and Inclusion When we make the effort to think beyond ourselves to the lived experiences of people of other backgrounds, abilities, and sensibilities, we are able to … More In Case You Missed It: November 2023 Digest

As we celebrate Thanksgiving and prepare to wrap up the year, we (as nonprofit organizations) often celebrate and thank donors and sponsors that financially supported our work. But, don’t overlook the many volunteers that gave their time and talents to implement the work of Main Street and further local revitalization efforts. Demonstrating gratitude is key … More Giving Thanks to Main Street Volunteers!