Our guest blogger is Matt Wagner, Ph.D. – Chief Program Officer for Main Street America, responsible for driving the organization’s field service initiatives. His professional background involves nearly 30 years of non-profit management and teaching experience in downtown revitalization, entrepreneurship and economic development. Brief Introduction by Jenny Crittenden, President and CEO of Retail Alliance: Wow! … More Reflection & Opportunity: Virginia Retail Matters

Main Street is Economic Development. Stay with me here. For most of us, the understanding of economic development involves recruiting major employers – manufacturing, tech, professional services. We think of suburban office complexes and Industrial Development Authorities and data centers. And we aren’t wrong, these are major components of economic growth and economic activity that … More Partner Spotlight – Virginia Economic Developer’s Association (VEDA)

Last week, part of the Virginia Main Street team traveled to Vancouver, WA for a Transformation Strategies Workshop where State Coordinators, local directors, and Main Street staff from all across the United States gathered to learn how to better understand and execute Transformation Strategies. Transformation Strategies are an essential tool of the Main Street program, … More A Deeper Dive into Transformation Strategies

Utilities and public art can be interconnected in various ways, often with the goal of improving the visual appeal of a community. The relationship that exists between the two highlights the potential for creativity, community engagement and cultural enrichment. Together, they can blend functionality with aesthetics, transforming otherwise utilitarian and visually unappealing structures into attractive … More Where Utility Meets Art: South Boston’s Fire Hydrant Walking Tour

Joe Borgstrom, half of the husband and wife team behind Place + Main Advisors and one of the founders of Downtown Happy Hour – a Facebook live chat with placemakers and storytellers around the country that kicked off during the pandemic lockdowns and quickly became a touchstone for main streeters as we sheltered in place, … More Is Your Community Development Ready?

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 first principle relates to … More Firm Principles, Flexible Paths: Create Strategic Budgets

During the month of September, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team published eight blog posts, highlighting the latest community vitality-related news, events and more! Here’s a recap: Grant Announcements: Fiscal Year 2024 Community Business Launch (CBL) grants were announced, and $410,000 will assist the awarded communities with hosting a business curriculum and business pitch competition to fill vacant storefronts … More In Case You Missed It: September 2023 Digest

It’s fall y’all, and that means students are back in school… Every fall, college towns experience an influx of new residents, as students move in and prepare for the academic year. Students are a unique, target audience and consumer demographic that can add a lot of excitement and vibrancy to a downtown. Main Street organizations … More A Welcoming College Town

Recently, FY24 Virginia Main Street (VMS) Downtown Investment Grant (DIG), Community Vitality Grant (CVG) and Virginia Business District Resurgence Grant (VBDRG) recipients were announced. $2.5 million will help communities across the state revitalize their historic commercial districts, expand small businesses and bolster local economies and quality of life for all. Every year, the VMS program … More 30 Communities Named FY2024 Virginia Main Street Grant Recipients

Have you heard the news? Main Street America has a new platform to tell the stories of Main Street’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. The podcast, Main Street Business Insights, follows Main Street America’s Chief Program Officer, Matt Wagner, Ph.D., across the country as he sits down with downtown and neighborhood entrepreneurs to explore their stories. … More Podcast Alert: Main Street Business Insights