Glade Spring Mural Program Creates Volunteer Engagement

February 10, 2020

This post is by guest blogger, Leslie Peterson, board president of Project Glade. Project Glade is a local nonprofit in Glade Spring, Virginia committed to promoting the town’s traditions and works on community innovations as it engages a dedicated citizenry in the improvement of community life. In Southwest Virginia, you will find the petite community … More Glade Spring Mural Program Creates Volunteer Engagement

Refreshing Radford and Making Main Street POP!

February 4, 2020

Reprinted from New River Valley Livability Initiative: http://nrvlivability.org/refreshing-radford-and-making-main-street-pop/ Boosting the curb appeal of local shopping and business districts is a cornerstone of any revitalization effort. Radford businesses are currently sprucing up their storefronts all over The River City by taking advantage of a program that aims to help them do just that. Radford POP! is … More Refreshing Radford and Making Main Street POP!

Webinar – Public Spaces, Community Places

January 29, 2020

Do you know of a vacant lot that could be a joyful gathering place? A blank wall that could be a canvas? A cracked sidewalk that could be a memorable journey through local history? These scenarios envision potential outcomes that uplift and enliven through placemaking. Placemaking inspires people to collectively reinvent public spaces as the … More Webinar – Public Spaces, Community Places

SAVE THE DATE: Downtown Intersections 2020

January 9, 2020

Save the date and mark your calendars to attend Downtown Intersections and the celebration of the 35th anniversary of Virginia Main Street, presented by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, on July 28-30 in Bristol, Virginia. This two-day event promises a packed schedule full of field and classroom sessions spanning topics geared toward strengthening your downtown … More SAVE THE DATE: Downtown Intersections 2020

Main Spotlight: What Does Supporting Local Really Look Like?

December 26, 2019

“Supporting local is more than just a hashtag, it is a lifestyle.” Featured recently in Main Street America’s Main Spotlight, Downtown Wytheville Inc. Executive Director Todd Wolford contributes a message that speaks from the heart to customers supporting local businesses. Local holiday spending is certainly a gift, but making that continuous effort year round is … More Main Spotlight: What Does Supporting Local Really Look Like?

The Cost of an Empty Building: Calculating Opportunities Downtown

December 16, 2019

Every community has it: that vacant, eye-sore building with an absent owner. Yet, economic and community developers alike still struggle to communicate the impact of that vacant building on the vitality of the downtown community. At Main Street America’s recent Community Transformation Workshop, Donovan Rypkema of PlaceEconomics described that exactly. Calculating the impact of that … More The Cost of an Empty Building: Calculating Opportunities Downtown

Norton’s Cider Success

December 8, 2019

A vacant building at the heart of downtown Norton once considered for demolition has gotten a second lease on life. Recent renovations have transformed it into Southwest Virginia’s first cidery. Watch the video to learn more about the project from start to finish! The project to reimagine the former auto repair shop began in 2016 … More Norton’s Cider Success

Attract a Dynamic Workforce by Utilizing the Main Street Approach!

December 4, 2019

“One lesson for cities, especially smaller cities and towns hoping to attract new talent, is that instead of chasing big businesses, they should focus on building a great place as outlined in the Main Street Program’s Four-Point Approach to economic development. ” Ed McMahon is a senior resident fellow at the Urban Land Institute in … More Attract a Dynamic Workforce by Utilizing the Main Street Approach!