VMS

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

Danville’s River District Association Reflects on Dream Launch Success and Prepares for Another Impactful Year

March 24, 2021

With support from Virginia DHCD’s Community Business Launch (CBL) program, Danville’s River District Association (RDA) held its first Dream Launch Boot Camp and Pitch Competition during spring 2019! More than 75 individuals participated in some or all of the boot camp classes, and nine completed all the requirements to take part in the pitch competition. … More Danville’s River District Association Reflects on Dream Launch Success and Prepares for Another Impactful Year

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

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

Webinar – Nonprofit Board Fundamentals: What’s Your Job?

October 24, 2019

Healthy organizations start with board members who understand their role and how best to bring their skills to the board table. On November 14, from noon-1 PM, please join us and Cindy Colson of the Center for Nonprofit Excellence for Nonprofit Board Fundamentals: What’s Your Job?, a webinar designed to give board members a jump … More Webinar – Nonprofit Board Fundamentals: What’s Your Job?

Lynchburg Invites You to Explore!

July 3, 2019

Our guest blogger is Downtown Lynchburg Association Executive Director Ashley Kershner. Lynchburg is beyond excited to host the 2019 Virginia Main Street Downtown Intersections. Downtown Lynchburg is a vibrant, charming locale studded with unique and creative local businesses. We hope that while you’re here to visit, you’ll have the opportunity to experience all that downtown … More Lynchburg Invites You to Explore!

Downtown Intersections: Early Bird Registration Now Open!

April 24, 2019

Register now to attend Downtown Intersections, presented by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development‘s Virginia Main Street Program, in partnership with the Downtown Lynchburg Association and the city of Lynchburg. This event promises a packed schedule full of sessions spanning topics geared toward economic vitality and design, as well as a practitioner’s studio … More Downtown Intersections: Early Bird Registration Now Open!

2019 Virginia Main Street Idea Pitch: Making Ideas Happen!

March 22, 2019

Main Street Idea Pitch! Wednesday, July 24, 2019 Do you have an idea for a new Main Street revitalization project idea you would like to start? Are you positive it’s something that will be a slam-dunk success? Then you do not want to miss Virginia Main Street’s second annual Main Street Idea Pitch competition. Main Street … More 2019 Virginia Main Street Idea Pitch: Making Ideas Happen!