Our guest blogger is Downtown Lynchburg Association Executive Director Ashley Kershner. Lynchburg is beyond excited to host the 2019 Virginia Main Street Downtown Intersections. Downtown Lynchburg is a vibrant, charming locale studded with unique and creative local businesses. We hope that while you’re here to visit, you’ll have the opportunity to experience all that downtown … More Lynchburg Invites You to Explore!
“Our downtown has become the place where people want to visit, play, work, and live”. This is a statement most anyone would want to make about their community, but all too often the task is overwhelming. Where to start when there is so much that could be done? How do you put together the resources … More The Main Street Approach – A Catalyst for Community Revitalization
For 24-hours only on June 11, use registration code VMSFLASH50 to save $50 off the normal rate! One day only, June 11, use our flash sale code to register for Downtown Intersections at the early bird rate of $125 – don’t miss this deal! Register now to attend Downtown Intersections, presented by the Virginia Department of … More FLASH SALE: 24-Hour Registration Discount for Downtown Intersections!
What started out as a conversation between a tomato producer and hog farmer has blossomed into a regional economic development driver that will having a lasting impact on southern Virginia. The idea of for the Southern Virginia Food Hub was started by Ann Taylor Wright to help local farmers and producers add value to their … More Southern Virginia Food Hub
2018 was a busy year in Virginia Main Street’s Designated Communities! The State Coordinating program held eleven (11) training events with more than six-hundred and seventy-five (675) attendees – from Bristol to Blackstone, Warrenton to Gloucester – we covered the state and then some. Check out our 2018 Annual Report for the full picture of … More Virginia Main Street 2018 Annual Report
Register now to attend Downtown Intersections, presented by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development‘s Virginia Main Street Program, in partnership with the Downtown Lynchburg Association and the city of Lynchburg. This event promises a packed schedule full of sessions spanning topics geared toward economic vitality and design, as well as a practitioner’s studio … More Downtown Intersections: Early Bird Registration Now Open!
This program is a day-long session designed to introduce the principles and implementation mechanisms behind neighborhood-based development projects. We offer specialized training on how to develop small residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties (1-3 story buildings with less than 20 units). The course assumes participants know a lot about where they live, but not necessarily about … More Small Scale Real Estate Development Workshop
What will your downtown be like in 10-15 years? Is that future bright? The most successful towns understand they must nurture that community core to make it happen. On May 14, from noon-1 p.m., Virginia Main Street is offering a free webinar on the basics of the Main Street Approach for preservation-based downtown revitalization, which … More Webinar – What is Main Street?: A Strategic, Outcome-oriented Revitalization Strategy
With spring upon us, the thoughts of many Main Street board members, directors, coordinators and managers turn to board development (right?). First – plan. Think about “How to Build the Board You Want.” Second – ask questions. “How do we identify and recruit the right members?” Do we have a finance guru? Marketing expertise? Community … More Build a Better Board, Be a Better Board
Since 2015, 24 communities have participated in DHCD’s Community Business Launch (CBL) program and launched new or expanded businesses in a targeted district of their choice. A systems approach to asset-based, small-business economic development, the CBL program helps communities identify their unique assets and fill vacant storefronts with businesses that best attract and serve its … More Community Business Launch – Jump Start Your Downtown!
Virginia Main Street 