Virginia Main Street

On Gloucester Main Street, a new mural has been completed, honoring and celebrating the life and legacy of one of Gloucester County’s most notable historical figures. Commissioned in 2019, the Cook Foundation honors the man widely known as Virginia’s “Black Governor,” Thomas Calhoun (T.C.) Walker. Born a slave before President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation … More Mural Honors Legacy of T.C. Walker in Gloucester, VA

It’s important to #ShopSmall all year! But the holiday season marks a special opportunity to rally your community and support the lifeblood of your local economy: small businesses. As a proud supporter of Small Business Saturday® and the Shop Small Movement, Main Street America (MSA) has partnered alongside American Express to encourage its members and … More Become an Amex #ShopSmall Neighborhood Champion!

Five finalists have been chosen to present their worthwhile project ideas at the Third Annual Main Street Idea Pitch! The event will be held virtually on November 17, 2020 from 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The annual competition is geared toward inspiring the Virginia Main Street (VMS) network of community leaders to craft imaginative downtown project ideas … More Five Finalists Chosen to Present Their Project Ideas at the Third Annual Main Street Idea Pitch!

During the month of July, the Rebuild! VA grant program was created to assist small businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout the state who have faced unprecedented economic distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Excitingly, the program has been allotted an additional $30 million, expanding eligibility criteria and increasing the amount of grant funds that small businesses and … More Rebuild VA! Program Allotted Additional $30 Million, Eligibility Expanded

The Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) has launched several new grant opportunities, aimed at creating/expanding public open space and increasing equitable access to open space. Learn more about these program below: VOF Preservation Trust Fund Recently, VOF has made $1 million available from its Preservation Trust Fund (PTF) for grants that create or expand access to … More Virginia Outdoors Foundation Launches New Grant Opportunities for Public Open Space

STARTUP Franklin Southampton won a gold category award for the Neighborhood and Retail Development category of the 2020 Excellence in Economic Development Awards Program presented by the International Economic Development Council on Oct 15, 2020.  “We are honored to be accepting this internationally-recognized award in conjunction with the Downtown Franklin Association,” Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc. (FSEDI) Board Chairman Harrell Turner shares. “Investing in the … More STARTUP Franklin-Southampton Wins Gold

Several months ago, Main Street America partnered alongside The Hartford to support small businesses through the HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program as they work to reopen safely. The program sought to assist brick-and-mortar businesses in commercial districts across the nation, funding solutions that help merchants respond and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. Excitingly, grant recipients … More Nine Virginia Businesses Named Hartbeat of Main Street Grant Recipients!

Amidst an unprecedented public health emergency, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds continue to serve as a valuable resource, assisting eligible localities in responding to the challenging health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting urgent need recovery activities. In September, Governor Ralph Northam announced more than $8.4 million through the CDBG program … More CDBG Funds Support COVID-19 Recovery and Relief Efforts in Rural Communities across Virginia

On September 21, 2020, the Federal Reserve Board announced that it is seeking public input as it considers how to update the regulations that implement the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) by strengthening, clarifying, and tailoring them to reflect the current banking landscape and better meet the core purpose of the CRA. The Board is specifically … More Providing Input for CRA Updates