The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is excited to announce its second Mobilizing Main Street (MMS) cohort through the Virginia Main Street (VMS) program! The 2025-2026 MMS cohort includes: Through the two-year MMS program, communities will work to build a comprehensive downtown revitalization program that champions grassroots leadership and preservation-based economic development. … More 11 Communities Selected to Participate in the 2025-2026 Mobilizing Main Street Program Cohort

During the month of December, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team published eight blog posts, highlighting the latest community-vitality news, events and more! Here’s a recap: VMS 40th Anniversary Disaster Relief VMS Community News Celebrating Success Small Business Support Alleyway Activation Communicating With Your State Legislators Virginia Rural Leadership Institute Stay tuned for lots more great content … More In Case You Missed It: December 2024 Digest

Small businesses in Southwest Virginia now have access to a vital new resource to help recover from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. The Virginia Small Business Disaster Response Portal, funded by a grant through GO Virginia, is designed to streamline recovery efforts by connecting businesses with essential services, funding opportunities, and technical support. This innovative … More New Disaster Recovery Portal Empowers Southwest Virginia Small Businesses to Rebuild

Kate Pickett Irving serves as Enterprise Zone Program Administrator for the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). In this position, she runs the statewide program that provides Real Property Investment and Job Creation grants for eligible businesses in the 45 designated enterprise zones. Before working at DHCD, Kate served as Director of Economic … More Advocacy Made Simple: How to Effectively Communicate With Legislators

In 2025, Virginia Main Street (VMS) will celebrate its 40th anniversary of revitalizing the built and business environments of historic commercial districts across the Commonwealth. From 1985 to 2023, VMS communities created more than 8,200 businesses; 27,000 jobs; and generated more than $2.6 billion in public and private investment. Join the Virginia Department of Housing … More There’s No Place Like Main Street: Celebrating 40 Years of Main Street in Virginia!

Every year, Main Street America selects three communities to receive the prestigious Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA). The GAMSA is given to communities whose successes serve as a model for comprehensive, preservation-based revitalization efforts in the downtown. This year, Wytheville, Virginia has earned the well-deserved distinction of being named one of just eight communities … More Wytheville Named 2025 Great American Main Street Award Semifinalist!

In late 2023, the Town of Blackstone was awarded a $50,000 Virginia Business District Resurgence Grant (VBDRG) from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). This funding enabled the Town to collaborate with Downtown Blackstone, Inc. (DBI) – the local Main Street organization – to develop and implement a comprehensive small business support … More From Ideas to Impact: Blackstone’s Growversity Program Bolsters Local Business Growth

As a participant in the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute’s (VRLI) 2024 Cohort, Zachary Whitlow, Community Vitality Program Administrator for the Department of Housing and Community Development, (DHCD) provides an overview of the fourth and final VRLI session of the year, which was held in the Staunton, Virginia on November 14-16, 2024. The Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI) … More Virginia Rural Leadership Institute Brings Cohort Members to the Shenandoah Valley

The Town of Berryville’s Hogan’s Alley has undergone a recent facelift. The once well-worn alleyway is now a vibrant space honoring the town’s beloved former manager, the late John Hogan. The alley connects West Main Street to the Crow Street parking lot and is a functional walkway for residents and visitors. Led by Berryville Main … More Alley Revitalization in Berryville

As the year comes to a close, it’s an ideal time for local Main Street programs to reflect on and celebrate their accomplishments. This reflection shouldn’t remain internal—sharing successes with the public and key stakeholders is vital. Highlighting the organization’s achievements and its impact on enhancing downtown vitality reinforces its mission, builds community pride, and … More Celebrating Success Matters: The Role of Annual Reports in Main Street Revitalization