In 2021, Love Orange Virginia (LOVe) was awarded a $25,000 Financial Feasibility Grant (FFG) to help identify the highest and best adaptive use of the former Earl’s Glass Shop building in downtown Orange and formulate any plans or studies that would help the property owner to redevelop the property or allow the local Main Street … More Reimaging Earl’s Glass: Feasibility Study Identifies Potential New Use for Historic Property in Orange, VA

The colonial port town of Urbanna, located in Middlesex County at the confluence of Urbanna Creek and the Rappahannock River, evolved over a period of more than three centuries. It served as a tobacco port in the 18th century, and a mercantile and commercial fishing center in the 19th. By the 21st century the town … More Celebrating Everything Oyster!

Photo Credit (Top) – National Archives Photo Credit (Bottom Left) Experience First Photo Credit (Bottom Middle) – U. S. Department of Labor Photo Credit (Bottom Right) – National Archives

A new event in Downtown Blackstone, VA has helped to transform the historic business district into a walkable art gallery, allowing residents and visitors alike to peruse the wares of traditional and contemporary artists and take in the charm of this small town as they visit local shops and restaurants. Organized by In Town Art, … More Blackstone Art Walk Encourages Community to Support Local Businesses and Creatives

The Shenandoah Community Capital Fund (SCCF), based in Staunton, Virginia, is on a mission to expand access to entrepreneurial support and training for under-represented communities throughout the Shenandoah Valley. We firmly believe in a Shenandoah Valley in which each person has access to the resources, knowledge and support needed to start, grow and sustain a … More A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats: An Ecosystem Approach to Supporting Black Businesses in the Shenandoah Valley

Happy Wednesday, Main Street friends! The Community Vitality Office (CVO) team posted fourteen (14) post this month. Did you miss any of them? If so, don’t worry we’ve got you covered ! Catch up here with this month’s edition of “In Case You Missed It!” NEWS The Friday Blog Series – Celebrating National Black Business … More In Case You Missed It: August 2022 Digest

Excitingly, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) network is growing – welcome to Nancy Alexander (Farmville) and David Green (Altavista)! Over the past several months, Farmville Downtown Partnership (FDP), an Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) organization, has been searching for a dynamic and highly motivated individual to serve as the new executive director for the local … More Altavista and Farmville Welcome New Executive Directors!

We are delighted to celebrate National Black Business Month by highlighting Black entrepreneurs across the Commonwealth. Today we are telling the story of Books and Crannies in Martinsville. Meet DeShanta Hairston, the owner of Books and Crannies, a Black-woman owned independent bookstore, located in Martinsville, Virginia. With the closing of all major book retailers in … More Highlighting CBL Winner – Books and Crannies!

The National League of Cities (NLC) and mySidewalk hosted a webinar on Thursday, July 28th with the intent of helping city leaders make appropriate choices that will drive inclusive, entrepreneur-led growth in their communities. Nia Richardson, Managing Director of Kansas City Bizcare (KCBizCare) offered up insights on how the City Inclusive Entrepreneurship Network (CIE) assisted her with optimizing her office’s strategy in engaging … More Build Inclusive Communities Through Equitable Entrepreneurship

Next month, the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) will hold its Fall Conference in Lynchburg, VA on September 21-23, 2022. VEDA will bring together local, regional, and state leaders, elected officials, and others in vital fields that work to support the economic health of the Commonwealth to network, exchange ideas, identify new ways to cooperate … More Attracting Remote Workers: Virginia Main Street to Lead Panel Discussion at VEDA Fall Conference