June 20 marked the official start of summer, and there’s no better time to be in a Main Street community — whether you are shopping, dining or simply taking a stroll. As the days grow longer and hotter, now is the perfect time to consider the pedestrian experience. Unfortunately, we don’t have the ability to … More Trees Are More Than Just Beautification Tools

Virginia Main Street (VMS) extends heartfelt congratulations to Kathleen (Kathy) Frazier, co-founder and Principal-in-Charge of Frazier Associates, on her retirement. For decades, Frazier Associates has served as the official architectural firm for the VMS program, playing a pivotal role in advancing preservation-based revitalization efforts across the Commonwealth. It’s been an honor to collaborate with such … More Passing the Baton: Celebrating Kathy Frazier’s Legacy and Welcoming the Next Chapter

Every community has something that sets it apart from all the others. For the Town of Marion in southwest Virginia, one of these unique assets is being the birthplace of the modern Mountain Dew recipe. In the 1950s, William Jones became president of the Tip Corporation in Marion and acquired the trademark for Mountain Dew, … More Leveraging Your Unique Assets: Marion Mtn Dew Museum

In 2024, Altavista On Track was awarded a FY25 Downtown Investment Grant, totaling $54,000, from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development‘s (DHCD) Virginia Main Street program to support physical improvements and the installation of protective curbing in the street-facing parking lot of the Spark Innovation Center. Leveraging additional public investment from the Town … More New Parklet Ignites a Spark in Downtown Altavista

Virginia Main Street (VMS) hosted Spring Regional Rev Ups last month in Gloucester, Harrisonburg and Marion. Over 100 participants from the VMS network engaged in interactive sessions focused on fostering high-impact organizations. Led by Cindy Colson, Deputy Director of Partnerships, Consulting and Impact at the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, attendees learned to focus on three … More Building Stronger Nonprofits: How Leadership, Boards & Meetings Make the Difference

Rebecca Logan has served as the Executive Director of Main Street Lexington (MSL) for a little more than six years and was a founding board member of the organization in 2013. While six years may feel like a blip in some of our lives, it’s a lifetime in the Main Street world. Logan led downtown … More A Changing of the Guard in Lexington

May is Preservation Month! Led by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Month celebrates the cultural and built heritage of communities across the country. It’s a time to recognize and celebrate the places, stories, and individuals that have shaped the character of Virginia’s historic downtowns. Main Street programs across the Commonwealth continue to champion … More Make It Last: Celebrate Preservation Month in May

Data is the foundation upon which Main Street organizations can build powerful narratives of revitalization, economic growth, and community impact. Without it, successes can be overlooked, and opportunities for future support may be missed. Recently, through a session offered at the Main Street Now Conference, attendees had the opportunity to dive deeper into the importance … More Good Data Habits for Main Street Success

In today’s digital landscape, a blog can be one of the most powerful tools Main Street organizations have to share their stories, celebrate successes, and deepen engagement with their communities. A well-maintained blog not only highlights revitalization efforts, new businesses, and upcoming events—it strengthens your brand, builds trust with stakeholders, and can even support fundraising … More Every Main Street Organization Should Invest in a Strong Blog