virginia main street

Harrisonburg Downtown 2040: Engaging Master Planning through Community Input

March 31, 2021

Partnering together, the City of Harrisonburg and Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance (HDR) have launched Harrisonburg Downtown 2040, a community-driven plan for Downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia. Throughout 2021, the planning process will unfold, and it will be completed during the fall. As the project gains momentum, members of the community have been invited to envision the next 20 … More Harrisonburg Downtown 2040: Engaging Master Planning through Community Input

Creating Interactive Apptivities for Downtowns

January 13, 2021

We don’t yet know what the new normal will be after the COVID-19 crisis winds down. But, we do know that keeping people engaged with places and people throughout the pandemic is a key to keeping them engaged in the future. One way to provide socially distant activities is through guided smartphone-based apptivities, such as … More Creating Interactive Apptivities for Downtowns

Activating Outdoor Spaces in Winter

December 4, 2020

While normally Virginians hunker down during the hottest and coldest months, sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic has invigorated within some people a desire to be outside when normally they would have stayed home. Our neighboring Main Street programs in the Northeast, Midwest and Mountain states can offer many ideas that celebrate winter in … More Activating Outdoor Spaces in Winter

Lexington and Gloucester, VA Recognized by Garden Club of Virginia for Innovative Greening of Hardscapes

November 20, 2020

Recently, the Garden Club of Virginia (GCV) celebrated urban landscapes at its fall forum, recognizing the Main Street programs of both Gloucester and Lexington, Virginia for their efforts to bring shade, flowers and fresh greenery into historic hardscapes through innovative techniques and plantings. Techniques highlighted by the GCV include: Large-Scale Self-Watering Planters: These planters are … More Lexington and Gloucester, VA Recognized by Garden Club of Virginia for Innovative Greening of Hardscapes

2020 Best Public Improvement Project: St. Paul

October 2, 2020

Spanning seven years and seven blocks, St. Paul finally completed its comprehensive downtown infrastructure project in 2019. Lead by the town, with input from St. Paul Tomorrow’s Design Committee in the early stages, this $16 million project reconstructed the stormwater system, sidewalks, curbing, roadways, crosswalks, water lines and sanitary sewer lines. The need for upgrading … More 2020 Best Public Improvement Project: St. Paul

Fredericksburg VA Main Street Awarded CARES Act Funding for Downtown Business Support

July 29, 2020

Last week, Fredericksburg’s city council unanimously approved to allocate $500,000 of its CARES Act COVID-19 Relief Funds to support small businesses. Of that funding, $42,000 will be channeled directly to Fredericksburg Virginia Main Street (FVMS) to help the organization continue assisting downtown businesses with technology and COVID-associated safety needs. FVMS has been instrumental in supporting … More Fredericksburg VA Main Street Awarded CARES Act Funding for Downtown Business Support

10 Steps To Take A Retail or Restaurant Business Online

July 24, 2020

During the rapid changes in the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown, many retailers and restaurants set up online sales from scratch. Our guest blogger today is Kevin Clay, partner and communications director at Big Spoon Co., a Richmond-based PR and marketing firm. He helped numerous food-based businesses get online during COVID-19 lockdown and below … More 10 Steps To Take A Retail or Restaurant Business Online

Registration Now Open for Downtown Intersections!

June 24, 2020

Join us for Virginia Main Street’s Downtown Intersections Virtual Conference, July 28-30, 2020, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. each day. Registration is now open for the interactive, remote learning and asset-based economic development experience that will guide you toward a vibrant, healthy downtown and resilient Main Street program. The experience begins with a series of live … More Registration Now Open for Downtown Intersections!

Register Now – Promoting Main Street (webinar)!

June 2, 2020

Join us June 9 from 11 a.m.-noon for the preconference* webinar, Basic Principles of Main Street Promotion. Travis Brown, director of business development for Rokusek and Maestro Community Manager, will dive into dynamic and effective promotion – not just great events, but effective marketing and communication to keep your organization and downtown at the forefront … More Register Now – Promoting Main Street (webinar)!

Webinar – Basic Principles of Sustainable Organization

May 20, 2020

Join us May 26 from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. for the preconference* webinar, Basic Principles of Sustainable Organization. Building a healthy organizational foundation is key to attracting engagement and investment for your commercial district revitalization efforts. Whether you are positioned in a long-standing program or starting anew, this webinar will give you tools in three key … More Webinar – Basic Principles of Sustainable Organization