The Commonwealth of Virginia has created a new grant program to assist small businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout the state who have faced unprecedented economic distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The statewide Rebuild VA program will provide grants of up to three times the applicant’s average monthly eligible expenses up to a maximum award … More BREAKING NEWS – Rebuild! VA: Small Business Grant Program

Main Street America will be a co-sponsor of the new awards program sponsored by CivicPlus, Small Town America Civic Volunteer Award (STACVA). The national program will honor 100 extraordinary public service volunteers in smaller localities, shining a spotlight on the growing need for citizens to fill critical civic roles that support key local government functions. … More Small Town America Civic Volunteer Award

Small businesses in Luray, VA are thriving due to the efforts of the designated Virginia Main Street (VMS) community’s revitalization organization, Luray Downtown Initiative (LDI). Excitingly, the organization received a $10,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) VMS program that allowed LDI to provide local merchants with “Back to Business” … More Getting “Back to Business” in Downtown Luray

In mid-May, Main Street America (MSA) began advocating to Congress for $100 million to be included in an upcoming stimulus package to sustain and expand the essential work of Main Street leaders throughout the nation. MSA needs the support of the public to effectively advocate for small businesses, historic resources and thriving downtowns and commercial … More Speak Up for Main Street

Small businesses in Gloucester Village will feel the positive impact of Gloucester’s Downtown Dollars Program. Created by the Gloucester Main Street Preservation Trust (GMSPT), the innovative economic recovery program will infuse $40,000 into the community and provide over 400 health care workers from Riverside Walter Reed Hospital with $100 gift certificates to frequent local shops within … More Innovative Economic Recovery: Gloucester’s Downtown Dollars Program Infuses $40,000 into the Community

Over the past few months, Downtown Lynchburg Association (DLA) has worked tirelessly to support small businesses as they recover from the harsh economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, launching their Downtown Recovery Initiative to help merchants persevere through continued challenges and varied stages of reopening. Through their proactive efforts, DLA established a new Downtown Gift … More Creative Fundraising Strategy for Recovery: Lynchburg’s Downtown-A-Thon

The 2020 Downtown Intersections Virtual Conference will be an interactive, remote learning and asset-based economic development experience that will guide you towards a vibrant downtown and resilient Main Street program. The experience begins with a series of live and recorded webinars exploring connection, investment and recovery, including celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Virginia Main Street … More 2020 Downtown Intersections: Workbook

Last week, Main Street America (MSA) announced that 860 MSA programs across the nation have earned accredited status! Excitingly, 24 Main Street programs in Virginia earned MSA’s top tier of recognition. This exclusive designation signifies a demonstrated commitment to comprehensive community revitalization and a proven track record of successfully applying the successful Main Street Approach. … More Main Street America Announces 2020 Accredited and Affiliate Communities

In 2019, Main Street America partnered alongside American Express to launch the Future of Shopping Small Grant Program to provide 10 small businesses with $10,000 each to help them innovate in the evolving retail landscape. The program seeks to support small businesses that have demonstrated new approaches to traditional business strategies and those businesses looking … More Jon Henry General Store in New Market, VA Named Future of Shopping Small Grant Recipient!

Main Street has a crucial role to play in supporting small businesses, maintaining and improving quality of life for all, and ultimately the vitality of downtown districts – the heart of our communities. Over the past 40 years, communities across the country have demonstrated the power to preserve through good and challenging times, and that … More Main Street America: 2019 State of Main