Congratulations Milestone Achievement Award Recipients!

April 8, 2011

On March 31, 2011, community leaders from the 21 Designated Virginia Main Street Communities met to celebrate achievements built over the course of their efforts.  The crowd of 95 gathered for the Milestone Achievement Awards luncheon and ceremony at Richmond’s historic Jefferson Hotel. At the ceremony, Mary Rae Carter, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade for Rural Development congratulated the communities … More Congratulations Milestone Achievement Award Recipients!

Main Street merchant profile: Waynesboro Florist’s Webber Payne

April 1, 2011

Waynesboro Florist has been a downtown staple for 45 years, and owner Webber Payne says he can’t imagine the store being anywhere else. “We benefit from the foot traffic downtown,” he says, “and we add to it as well.” Webber Payne grew up in the family business, which has survived economic cycles, changes in the regional industrial base, and even a 1978 … More Main Street merchant profile: Waynesboro Florist’s Webber Payne

Virginia Sesquicentennial Tourism Marketing Program

March 22, 2011

Organizations all over Virginia are preparing for the statewide 150th anniversary of the Civil War and Emancipation, the Virginia Sesquicentennial.  Historic Manassas, Inc., a Virginia Main Street program, in coordination with the City of Manassas, is gearing up for the commemoration with a four-day event, July 21 -24, 2011, featuring living history demonstrations, speakers, art, music, … More Virginia Sesquicentennial Tourism Marketing Program

Advance Abingdon gets up close and personal with merchants

March 7, 2011

When people proudly shop locally, they do so to support their neighbors and fellow community members–those working to earn a living, create a job or two, and invest in the district. It makes sense then that highlighting people behind the business can strengthen the the link between merchants and their customers. That is exactly the point of one of … More Advance Abingdon gets up close and personal with merchants

Milestone Achievement Awards Luncheon speakers announced

February 23, 2011

Virginia Main Street is pleased to announce that the keynote speaker for the 2011 Milestone Awards will be nationally recognized sustainable preservation expert Jean Carroon, FAIA, LEED AP. Ms. Carroon’s focus on the renovation and adaptive reuse of existing buildings has culminated in a portfolio of award-winning civic, institutional, and religious structures, many of which are landmark … More Milestone Achievement Awards Luncheon speakers announced

Downtown Rehabilitation: Challenges and successes

February 9, 2011

Virginia’s downtown districts are teeming with historic buildings. While many of the buildings house businesses and offices, others, left vacant, have fallen into disrepair. Three Virginia communities have recently undertaken rehabilitation projects to revamp key historic assets into modern local landmarks—without detracting from their charm. In Roanoke, the recycling collection business Brenner and Cycle Systems, Inc. is working … More Downtown Rehabilitation: Challenges and successes

Staunton completes banner project

February 7, 2011

In 2010, the Staunton Downtown Development Association (SDDA)  received one of two community projects that took advantage of Virginia Main Street’s recent Downtown Improvement Grants to fund identity banners. (We took a look at the Culpeper’s banner project in the January 13 blog post.) Before the grant, Staunton had a priority-based budget and the funds to only place the banners in part of … More Staunton completes banner project

Classic settings for classic films

January 31, 2011

Community members working to revitalize their downtown often reminisce of Saturdays when residents poured into the streets. Frequently the movies are part of those recollections, and the black and white photos show it to be the case. People crowd the sidewalks, and on the marquee above them: Double Indemnity, Singing in the Rain, Some Like it Hot.  These classic … More Classic settings for classic films

Martinsville Courthouse Historic Virginia Site of the Month

January 18, 2011

The Department of Historic Resources (DHR) posted a new slide show for their web feature “Historic Virginia, Site of the Month.”  This month DHR features images and highlights of the changing nature of the circa-1824 Henry County Courthouse, which found new life in 2010 thanks to grants from Save America’s Treasures and the local Harvest … More Martinsville Courthouse Historic Virginia Site of the Month

Virginia Main Street Downtown Improvement Grants at work

January 13, 2011

In the summer of 2010, Virginia Main Street (VMS) provided seven Downtown Improvement Grants (DIGs)  that allowed designated Main Street communities to undertake specific projects for which they did not otherwise have funding. The small grants, capped at $2,500, were awarded in a competitive process based on projected outcomes, committee and volunteeer leadership, and the capacity to successfully complete the planned project. While Virginia Main … More Virginia Main Street Downtown Improvement Grants at work