Uncategorized – Page 83 – Virginia Main Street

April 23 Opportunity Summit to Spotlight SWVA Entreprenteurship

April 4, 2013

An Opportunity Summit will highlight new strategies and resources for Southwest Virginia entrepreneurs and emerging businesses. Entrepreneurs and small business owners will have the opportunity to connect with community leaders and explore possible new ventures in the counties of Tazewell, Russell, Buchanan, Dickenson, Wise, Lee and Scott and the city of Norton. Entrepreneurs developing business plans and seeking … More April 23 Opportunity Summit to Spotlight SWVA Entreprenteurship

Finding Main Street Customers Online

February 25, 2013

By encouraging and cultivating unique, local, independent commercial sectors, retail along Virginia’s Main Streets is on the rise. However, it is a brave new world that Main Streets retailers are operating in. “Capitalism is creative destruction,” Richard Sylla stated in a recent Entrepreneur article. “Old models get outmoded, and new models come in and take over.” Just … More Finding Main Street Customers Online

Marion Downtown Revitalization Association Provides Entrepreneur Training and Small Business Grants

January 15, 2013

Last fall, Marion Downtown Revitalization Association introduced a pilot project designed to help fill vacant downtown storefronts. Called “Pop Up Marion,” the project provides up to $5,000 in grant funds for qualifying new downtown businesses to help offset startup costs. The initial funding was provided by Virginia Main Street through a competitive … More Marion Downtown Revitalization Association Provides Entrepreneur Training and Small Business Grants

Getting Started with Virginia Main Street

January 8, 2013

Virginia Main Street is accepting applications from communities interested in being designated a Virginia Main Street community. However, if your community is not ready to take this step, here are steps to to help establish or reinvigorate a successful local preservation-based downtown revitalization organization. Look at downtown as if you are a first-time visitor. What is positive? … More Getting Started with Virginia Main Street

How do you know if your event was a success?

January 4, 2013

Many Main Street organizations are planning major winter festivals and downtown shopping events. Although there is a festive feel in the air with these short days and cold weather, the lovely weather is not enough reason to plan and call on volunteers, sponsors, Main Street businesses and the public to hold a festival. There must be … More How do you know if your event was a success?

VMS designation applications accepted through March 15, 2013

December 20, 2012

Virginia Main Street (VMS) is getting ready to add new Main Street communities to the 25 communities officially designated as Virginia Main Streets. VMS is now accepting applications, due March 15, 2013, for new Virginia Main Street communities. Why apply for designation as a Virginia Main Street community? First and foremost, designated VMS communities join … More VMS designation applications accepted through March 15, 2013

The Strategic Planning Process

July 30, 2012

Strategic Planning generally refers to the systematic process where an organization envisions its future direction by analyzing its current position and then developing a set of goals or objectives and an action plan to achieve them. Strategic Planning models vary greatly depending on the type of organization and the expected results of the planning process. … More The Strategic Planning Process

Main Street Communities Partnering for Entrepreneur Development

July 17, 2012

This past spring, DHCD’s Virginia Enterprise Initiative awarded six innovation grants to help develop new and innovative techniques for cultivating and assisting micro-entrepreneurs. Three of the awardees (Bristol, Staunton and Waynesboro) are specifically targeting micro-entrepreneur development in their local Main Street districts. Staunton Creative Community Fund, in Staunton, will continue to build off of its strong … More Main Street Communities Partnering for Entrepreneur Development

Entrepreneurs. Better with age?

May 3, 2012

Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the economy. They’re innovators, experimenters and risk takers, the driving force behind capitalism’s “perennial gale of creative destruction,” in economist Joseph Schumpeter’s evocative metaphor. So says Chris Farrell in this week’s Bloomberg Businessweek. But Mr. Farrell goes on to remind us that entrepreneurs are not only young, brash, rule breakers. … More Entrepreneurs. Better with age?

Congratulations to Solid Stone Fabrics

April 25, 2012

Congratulations to David Stone, owner and founder of Solid Stone Fabrics on being selected as a finalist in the Momentum Business category of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity’s (AEO) Power of One Awards. Stone founded Solid Stone Fabrics in 2003 and operates in his hometown of Martinsville, VA, a Virginia Main Street community who has seen … More Congratulations to Solid Stone Fabrics