Many new entrepreneurs find the process of growing their business as a lonely trek that takes more work than anticipated. Over the past few years, business incubators have helped these entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses by providing support such as office space, training, mentorship, networking and even financing, in some cases. Incubators can be … More Incubators: Hatching Ideas into Businesses
We’ve heard from several communities across the commonwealth that improving downtown hospitality is a high priority in making their downtowns a destination! With help from the Virginia Tourism Corporation, DHCD has put together a series of 20 workshops across the state called Delivering Memorable Experiences Downtown, which aims to strengthen business hospitality to provide an … More Experiences that Bring Customers Back!
We’ve all heard buzzwords such as incubators, co-working spaces and maker spaces. As the number of people working in the “gig” economy continues to grow, so will the places that support that industry. But what’s the difference in these spaces, and what do they provide not only to the entrepreneurs that use them, but the … More What’s in a Name? The Different Types of Shared Work Spaces
Guest Blogger Andrea Dono, executive director of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, has extensive experience in Main Street revitalization and community-based economic development, including 10 years at the National Main Street Center. Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance is thrilled to co-host the Virginia Main Street Downtown Intersections, July 16-18, 2018, and welcome you to our community in just a … More Welcome to Downtown Harrisonburg!
How do pedestrians experience your Main Street? Main Street’s were made for walking, but some of our Virginia downtowns are still not pedestrian friendly. The National Complete Streets Coalition’s mission to increase safe, comfortable and convenient access to community destinations and public places – whether walking, driving, bicycling or taking public transportation. To test out creative approaches … More Creating Safer Streets with Demonstration Projects
We hear from many communities that they have aspiring entrepreneurs who would like to explore their business ideas but don’t know where to begin. Here are a few great resources for start-ups: Waynesboro used funding from a Building Entrepreneurial Economies (BEE) grant from DHCD to create an online tool and one-stop shop to help entrepreneurs … More Starting a New Business: Where to Begin?
On May 2, during National Small Business Week, the city of Harrisonburg awarded $36,700 in grants to small businesses in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Grant awards range from $1,200 to $4,900 and are the final portion of a three-pronged small business assistance program called Bricks & Clicks, which was designed to help businesses become stronger … More Bricks & Clicks Make Businesses Stronger Destinations
Community development partners across Southwest Virginia are piloting the use of the Kiva crowdfunding loan platform to help small businesses expand and add jobs. Opportunity SWVA, the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem collaborative identified five businesses in need of small loans. Over the next two weeks, the businesses are working to raise a total of $43,000 in … More Opportunity SWVA pilots Kiva loan strategy
Virginia Main Street (VMS) is hosting a series of three webinars throughout June covering topics related to downtown buildings and tools for revitalization. All webinars are FREE, however, registration for each one is required. Virginia Rehabilitation Code June 6, 2018, Noon-1 p.m. Speaker: Jeff Brown, MCP, Director of State Building Codes, DHCD The Rehabilitation Code … More Webinar Series – Downtown Buildings: Tools for Revitalization
If you want to grow your volunteer and donor pipeline, you must reach out to your locals and create an opportunity for input. Listen and find out what they love about where they live. If they see their ideas implemented, they are more likely to contribute their time and money, making Main Street’s mission much … More Collaborate for Impact
Virginia Main Street 