Category: Uncategorized

Arts and the economy converge at South Boston conference

October 29, 2009

Economic development and arts professionals convened in South Boston last week to explore strategies for harnessing the “creative class” in their communities. The conference, “Art and the Creative Economy,” featured notable speakers presenting examples of how small towns and cities have enhanced their economies by embracing the arts. The term “creative class,” as coined by Richard … More Arts and the economy converge at South Boston conference

A press interview with Rocky Mount’s Katie McElroy

October 13, 2009

A recent Roanoke Times article gave newly hired executive director Katie McElroy an opportunity to promote the  work of the Community Partnership for Revitalization, the nonprofit organization that coordinates Rocky Mount’s uptown and downtown revitalization efforts. The article, “Future the Focus in Rocky Mount”, spotlighted McElroy, who used the media’s interest in her hiring to get word out about the organization’s strategies … More A press interview with Rocky Mount’s Katie McElroy

Increasing happiness on Main Street

October 1, 2009

Even with the economic struggles of the recession, it turns out there are plenty of reasons to be happy, especially if you’re an entrepreneur, says one recent study. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index is taking a 25-year look at our lives through an ongoing 100,000-person survey. The self-employed, citing the greater control of outcomes and the civic ties and … More Increasing happiness on Main Street

Tell us what you think.

July 21, 2009

When a financial crisis arrives, it is too late to try to make the case for all the services your downtown organization provides to the community.   You need to be spending that time engaging your support base and selling the future.  To do that, there has to be a broad based system of support throughout the … More Tell us what you think.

The resurrected and the lost

July 14, 2009

Virginia Main Street communities incorporate historic assets as the foundation of their design, promotion and economic restructuring strategies.  By fostering vibrant, economically viable downtowns, they serve as stewards of traditional commercial districts. And it can pay off. Staunton was recently listed as number 42 in the New York Posts’ “Top 100 places for New Yorkers to visit,” calling … More The resurrected and the lost

July Electronic Update now available

July 8, 2009

The July Virginia Main Street electronic update is now available. Stay current with upcoming trainings, events and announcements relevant to the Virginia Main Street community.  Read it here, and sign up to have it delivered to your inbox by emailing Douglas.Jackson@dhcd.virginia.gov.

How to attract Gen “Y”

June 12, 2009

Those of you who made it to the “Livable Downtowns” training held in Harrisonburg a couple of weeks ago know that just building upper story housing or rehabbing an old warehouse into loft apartments is not quite enough to get people living downtown.  It is important to have the amenities people need (dry cleaning, corner … More How to attract Gen “Y”