Pulaski Invites You to Revitalization Revival

February 26, 2019

The town of Pulaski is excited to partner with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources to host Revitalization Revival:  A Big Tent Approach to Preservation on May 1-2, 2019, in Historic Downtown Pulaski.  Revitalization Revival will bring together local government leaders, community members, historic property owners and investors to share ideas and learn about the opportunities and … More Pulaski Invites You to Revitalization Revival

Save The Date: 2019 Downtown Intersections

February 25, 2019

SAVE THE DATE Downtown Intersections July 22-24 | Lynchburg, Virginia Save the date and mark your calendars to attend Downtown Intersections, presented by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, on July 22-24 in Lynchburg, Virginia! This two-day event promises a packed schedule full of sessions spanning topics geared toward strengthening your downtown revitalization … More Save The Date: 2019 Downtown Intersections

A Jewel Worth Saving: Re-imagining Danville’s North Union Street

February 22, 2019

Guest Blogger Diana Schwartz, executive director of Danville’s River District Association, is a native of Dickenson County, Virginia, and was previously director of business retention for the Ocala/Marion Chamber and Economic Partnership in Florida, as well as director of the Ocala Main Street Program. Danville, Virginia may be best known for the railroad system, including … More A Jewel Worth Saving: Re-imagining Danville’s North Union Street

Measuring Your Organization’s Fundraising Effectiveness

February 20, 2019

Organizations don’t fundraise just to raise funds – they fundraise in order to implement programming that meets their mission. In the case of Main Street organizations, this includes having a measurable, positive and visible impact on their community and their district. This is why measuring the efficiency and effectiveness of fundraising efforts is so important. … More Measuring Your Organization’s Fundraising Effectiveness

Small Real Estate Developer Training and Capacity Building Program

February 13, 2019

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has partnered with Incremental Development Alliance to provide the Small Real Estate Developer Training and Capacity Building Program, supported with funding from the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA). DHCD and VHDA want to cultivate new and grow the capacity of existing small-scale real estate developers throughout Virginia. … More Small Real Estate Developer Training and Capacity Building Program

Stay Current On Issues That Affect Traditional Commercial Districts

February 1, 2019

In order to meet new challenges and ensure an effective Main Street revitalization effort, program participants need ongoing training.  Those participants – both staff and local community leaders – need different skills in different phases of the revitalization process.  For that reason, the Virginia Main Street program offers a robust training calendar tackling basic revitalization … More Stay Current On Issues That Affect Traditional Commercial Districts

What is a “brownfield?”

January 14, 2019

Often, we think of brownfields as large industrial properties with environmental contamination and hazardous materials. However, a broader definition includes real property, the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. This means that the Virginia Brownfield Restoration and Economic Development Assistance … More What is a “brownfield?”

Transform Ordinary Downtowns into Successful Destinations

January 10, 2019

How do you feel about free assistance to generate new ideas for attracting visitors to downtown? How about an added layer of resources to complement your Main Street America membership services and make it just that much easier to improve downtown? For 30 years, veteran Main Street partner Roger Brooks has helped thousands of people … More Transform Ordinary Downtowns into Successful Destinations

Update: VMS Idea Pitch! Winner – Blackstone

January 4, 2019

Guest blogger Zachary Whitlow, executive director of Downtown Blackstone Inc., provides an update on their Blackstone Town Square Revitalization Project that won the VMS Idea Pitch! Award at Downtown Intersections 2018. We were incredibly excited and grateful to have been chosen as the winner of the first annual Main Street Idea Pitch! competition. The presentation … More Update: VMS Idea Pitch! Winner – Blackstone