Town and gown topic of VDDA Annual Workshop June 7-8

May 19, 2011

Lexington, Virginia has served as the home of Washington and Lee University since 1780 and Virginia Military Institute since 1839. This historic downtown is a great location to ponder the nexus between downtown revitalization, community development, and higher education. On June 7 and 8, Virginia Downtown Development Association (VDDA) will do just that at its Annual Workshop, this year titled, “Melding Town and … More Town and gown topic of VDDA Annual Workshop June 7-8

One way to earn a Scooby Snack: “Stay Exempt” tools clearly communicate IRS rules

May 2, 2011

Those vaguely familiar looking characters at the right aren’t from a lost Scooby-Doo episode. They’ve been freshly created by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as part of the micro site http://www.stayexempt.irs.gov, and they’re here to help you meddling kids keep your charitable status. The IRS has gotten tougher in recent years on both the organizational … More One way to earn a Scooby Snack: “Stay Exempt” tools clearly communicate IRS rules

Virginia Main Street Announces Community Designation How to Apply Workshops

May 2, 2011

Virginia Main Street (VMS) will be accepting applications, due June 16, for up to four additional communities to be designated in FY2012.  This intensive approach to downtown revitalization is ideal for DHCD Commercial Affiliates and other smaller localities with pedestrian oriented historic commercial districts that are committed to community-based revitalization strategies. In this expansion round, VMS … More Virginia Main Street Announces Community Designation How to Apply Workshops

2011 Virginia Main Street Downtown Improvement Grants to include new CSX partnership

April 28, 2011

Applications are now being accepted from Designated Virginia Main Street (VMS) Communities for the 2011 Downtown Improvement Grants. Traditionally capped at $2,500 for special Main Street  projects, Downtown Improvement Grants will be available in amounts up to $7,500 for the four Designated VMS Communties served by CSX Transportation lines, thanks to a generous matching grant from the corporation. CSX Transportation operates a … More 2011 Virginia Main Street Downtown Improvement Grants to include new CSX partnership

Sustainable Farming in Floyd County

April 27, 2011

Throughout Southwest Virginia, many small-scale farmers grow products to be sold at a farmer’s market or to local restaurants. Meanwhile, several universities in the area, such as Virginia Tech, try to use local produce in their food programs whenever possible. The local farmers are unable to supply universities with enough produce to serve 30,000-40,000 meals … More Sustainable Farming in Floyd County

Uptown Martinsville’s Downtown Improvement Grant at work

April 26, 2011

Virginia Main Street’s Downtown Improvement Grant provided Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association (MURA)  an opportunity to roll out a long-planned district awareness and shop local campaign. The effort, broadly dubbed “This is Uptown,” includes a number of strategies, such as a loyalty card offering discounts with merchants across the district. The free cards are limited to 500, 350 of which … More Uptown Martinsville’s Downtown Improvement Grant at work

Radford to Host Bike Virginia Tour 2011

April 25, 2011

Spring is on the way, and communities all over Virginia are welcoming it with outdoor athletic events. From 5Ks to marathons, every athlete can find something to participate in over the next several months. This June, Radford, a Designated Virginia Main Street Community, will be hosting one of the most unique events Virginia has to offer—the Bike … More Radford to Host Bike Virginia Tour 2011

Resources for Small Business Financing

April 22, 2011

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (FRB) recently posted an issue of Marketwise Community, a web publication which highlights community development best practices  and emerging issues that impact communities in the southeastern United States.  The current issue, New Alternatives in Small Business Financing, addresses small business lending in the wake of the recession.  The message … More Resources for Small Business Financing

Buy Local: Build Community. Monitor technical brief now available

April 21, 2011

Buy Local: Build Community, the Spring 2011 Virginia Main Street Monitor focuses on maximizing your return on a buy local campaign.  Of course as far as campaign results, we think first of dollars spent in a downtown district, but you can also achieve outcomes in terms of community strength, leadership, and connectivity.  And for a community benefit nonprofit … More Buy Local: Build Community. Monitor technical brief now available

Guest Blogger: Jennifer Heyns on Warrenton’s Emerging Latitudes

April 20, 2011

When people shop locally, they know they are helping to support their community and the shop owners who live there. At Warrenton’s Latitudes Fair Trade, shoppers know they are supporting not only a local business, but also artisans from developing countries around the world. Latitudes buys handcrafted items from overseas either directly or through a … More Guest Blogger: Jennifer Heyns on Warrenton’s Emerging Latitudes