Category: Uncategorized

2011 Virginia Main Street Downtown Improvement Grants to include new CSX partnership

April 28, 2011

Applications are now being accepted from Designated Virginia Main Street (VMS) Communities for the 2011 Downtown Improvement Grants. Traditionally capped at $2,500 for special Main Street  projects, Downtown Improvement Grants will be available in amounts up to $7,500 for the four Designated VMS Communties served by CSX Transportation lines, thanks to a generous matching grant from the corporation. CSX Transportation operates a … More 2011 Virginia Main Street Downtown Improvement Grants to include new CSX partnership

Sustainable Farming in Floyd County

April 27, 2011

Throughout Southwest Virginia, many small-scale farmers grow products to be sold at a farmer’s market or to local restaurants. Meanwhile, several universities in the area, such as Virginia Tech, try to use local produce in their food programs whenever possible. The local farmers are unable to supply universities with enough produce to serve 30,000-40,000 meals … More Sustainable Farming in Floyd County

Guest Blogger: Jennifer Heyns on Warrenton’s Emerging Latitudes

April 20, 2011

When people shop locally, they know they are helping to support their community and the shop owners who live there. At Warrenton’s Latitudes Fair Trade, shoppers know they are supporting not only a local business, but also artisans from developing countries around the world. Latitudes buys handcrafted items from overseas either directly or through a … More Guest Blogger: Jennifer Heyns on Warrenton’s Emerging Latitudes

Virginia Main Street Downtown Improvement Grants at work

January 13, 2011

In the summer of 2010, Virginia Main Street (VMS) provided seven Downtown Improvement Grants (DIGs)  that allowed designated Main Street communities to undertake specific projects for which they did not otherwise have funding. The small grants, capped at $2,500, were awarded in a competitive process based on projected outcomes, committee and volunteeer leadership, and the capacity to successfully complete the planned project. While Virginia Main … More Virginia Main Street Downtown Improvement Grants at work

New Year’s Resolution Poll

January 11, 2011

While the typical New Year’s resolution is abandoned somewhere around the long Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, there is a certain feeling of “anything’s possible” in the air during these first few weeks of January.  Now really can be a good time to set some goals.  Go ahead, think big.  If you don’t stretch yourself to do … More New Year’s Resolution Poll

Main Street Merchant Profile: Pufferbellies

November 5, 2010

In a new series of blog entries, we’re highlighting Main Street merchants — the entrepreneurs who create jobs and care for historic structures in our traditional commercial districts. To share the successes of one of your merchants, contact Doug Jackson. Pufferbellies, a shop specializing in top-notch service to the next generation of Main Street customers, offers a … More Main Street Merchant Profile: Pufferbellies

Main Street Merchant Profile: Red Truck Bakery

November 1, 2010

The November/December issue of Preservation magazine features a first-hand account from this week’s Main Street Merchant — Old Town Warrenton’s Brian Noyes (“The Truck Stops Here“).  Mr. Noyes, a pasty chef (and former Preservation art director) owns the Red Truck Bakery, a rehabilitated 1921 Esso filling station. The pastries have been written up in the New York Times. The … More Main Street Merchant Profile: Red Truck Bakery

Be a Culpeper Local

October 13, 2010

Culpeper, Virginia just received some good press after it unleashed its new shop local campaign, Be a Culpeper Local.  The campaign combines educating the nearly 50,000 Culpeper County residents on the value of buying locally with a website, beaculpeperlocal.com that directs visitors to local shopping and dining options, specials, and a way to track how much … More Be a Culpeper Local

Downtown leaders cover Main Street Essentials at Abingdon training

October 6, 2010

On Sep. 22 and 23, Advance Abingdon hosted 70 downtown revitalization professionals and volunteers from across Virginia for a training and knowledge share of best practices in the organization and promotion of downtown revitalization efforts. National Trust Main Street Center Senior Program Officer Kathy LaPlante, a nationally recognized expert on community based downtown revitalization, presented … More Downtown leaders cover Main Street Essentials at Abingdon training

Virginia Communities begin to explore Google SketchUp

August 4, 2010

At the Virginia Main Street (VMS)  Summer Toolkit, a team from Glave and Holmes Architecture walked participants through the creation of a quick 3-D rendering using Google SketchUp.  This free, easy to-use software is being promoted by the National Trust Main Street Center as a community visioning tool, and judging by the response of participants, we … More Virginia Communities begin to explore Google SketchUp