Virginia’s Appalachian Trail Communities

October 4, 2012

The Appalachian Trail Community™ designation program is a new program of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, designed to recognize communities that promote and protect the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). The program serves to assist communities with sustainable economic development through tourism and outdoor recreation while preserving and protecting the A.T. Completed in 1937, the 2,180-mile-long Appalachian National Scenic … More Virginia’s Appalachian Trail Communities

Fixing Up Public Spaces On The Cheap

September 26, 2012

The renovation of large public spaces requires the investment of financial and human resources that may not be possible in all communities or justified for all public spaces. However, the “lighter, quicker and cheaper” approach advocated by the Project for Public Spaces (PPS) is an affordable way to start bringing life back to neglected public spaces, with … More Fixing Up Public Spaces On The Cheap

Tourism Benefits Virginia Main Streets

September 18, 2012

Governor Bob McDonnell recently announced that visitors to Virginia generated $20.4 billion in revenue in 2011, an 8 percent increase from 2010. In 2011, tourism in Virginia supported 207,000 jobs, an increase of nearly 2 percent in employment, and provided more than $1.32 billion in state and local taxes.  Virginia’s Main Streets are popular tourist destinations for … More Tourism Benefits Virginia Main Streets

Winchester’s Main Street Agriculture – Save the Date!

September 13, 2012

On Saturday, Oct. 6, Winchester’s downtown walking mall will be filled with excitement for local farms. Farm Bureau is partnering with the Winchester Old Town Development Board, Winchester Main Street Foundation and Virginia Main Street program to produce an extraordinary community event promoting Frederick County agriculture and a renaissance in community life! The purpose of the … More Winchester’s Main Street Agriculture – Save the Date!

Virginia Enterprise Zone 2013 Designation Round

August 24, 2012

DHCD’s Virginia Enterprise Zone (VEZ) program has just finished facilitating three regional how-to-apply workshops to spread the word about the upcoming designation round.  On October 1, 2012, the program will begin accepting applications to fill the positions of two zones that are due to expire at the end of this year. Much like VMS, the … More Virginia Enterprise Zone 2013 Designation Round

Hopewell Celebrates VMS/CSX Grant

August 17, 2012

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling presented Hopewell Downtown Partnership (HDP) with a ceremonial check for $7,500 as part of a Downtown Improvement Grant awards ceremony held Wednesday, Aug. 15 at the Beacon Theater in downtown Hopewell. The grant funding is the result of a unique public/private partnership that matches $2,500 in VMS funds with $5,000 from CSX Corporation. This … More Hopewell Celebrates VMS/CSX Grant

Main Street Communities Partnering for Entrepreneur Development

July 17, 2012

This past spring, DHCD’s Virginia Enterprise Initiative awarded six innovation grants to help develop new and innovative techniques for cultivating and assisting micro-entrepreneurs. Three of the awardees (Bristol, Staunton and Waynesboro) are specifically targeting micro-entrepreneur development in their local Main Street districts. Staunton Creative Community Fund, in Staunton, will continue to build off of its strong … More Main Street Communities Partnering for Entrepreneur Development

CIC Program Director Recognized

July 13, 2012

Congratulations to Hebah Fisher, program director at Community Investment Collaborative, who was recently recognized in C-Ville Weekly’s “The Power Issue” as one of the movers and shakers in Charlottesville. The 22-year-old Fisher has worked tirelessly and passionately to establish the Community Investment Collaborative, a new micro-enterprise development organization in Charlottesville that is training its first … More CIC Program Director Recognized

Virginia Main Streets make it into the “Best of VA” – we’re not surprised

July 10, 2012

Virginia Living has just released its “Best of VA” list and many Main Street communities had businesses that made the list.  Below are some of the first place winners from Virginia’s Main Street communities. Virginia’s Main Street communities also had numerous second and third place winners that can be viewed here.   FIRST PLACE (Central/Living … More Virginia Main Streets make it into the “Best of VA” – we’re not surprised