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!

May is Preservation Month!

December 2, 2019

Yes, you read that right. It is six months away, but Preservation Month is a great time for Main Street organizations to promote themselves while promoting the economic development benefits of historic preservation. What are some ways to celebrate, maybe even profit from Preservation Month? Does your organization have any connections with local realtors? Ask … More May is Preservation Month!

Food Co-op Opportunity Zone Fund in Fredericksburg

November 25, 2019

How can Opportunity Zones benefit Main Street? In spring of 2017 the OZ legislation was established as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  It’s an economic and community development tax incentive that provides an avenue for investors to support distressed communities in designated areas.  Taxpayers can get capital gains tax deferral for making … More Food Co-op Opportunity Zone Fund in Fredericksburg

Webinar – Nonprofit Board Fundamentals: What’s Your Job?

October 24, 2019

Healthy organizations start with board members who understand their role and how best to bring their skills to the board table. On November 14, from noon-1 PM, please join us and Cindy Colson of the Center for Nonprofit Excellence for Nonprofit Board Fundamentals: What’s Your Job?, a webinar designed to give board members a jump … More Webinar – Nonprofit Board Fundamentals: What’s Your Job?

Small Scale Manufacturing on Main Street

October 21, 2019

Small scale production has emerged as a powerful way to tie opportunity to place, and can fill a missing piece in downtown and community development efforts. Data suggests that this type of production is rapidly growing along Main Streets across the country, expanding and diversifying the employment and retail opportunities found in our districts.  The … More Small Scale Manufacturing on Main Street