Virginia Main Street

During the month of April, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team published seven blog posts, highlighting the latest community-vitality news, events and more! Here’s a recap: Blueprint Virginia 2035 Throughout 2025, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce will be engaging in a campaign of wide reaching public and stakeholder outreach as they complete a comprehensive plan designed to keep Virginia … More In Case You Missed It: April 2025 Digest

What are your priorities for economic development in Virginia? A focus on housing and housing affordability? Maybe you’d like to see more investment in Downtown Development and Main Street, or perhaps a greater emphasis on credentials and apprenticeships to meet the demands of today’s economy. Now is the time for you to be heard by … More Be Heard! Contribute to Blueprint Virginia 2035

At the 2025 Main Street Now Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one session highlighted the transformative potential of artistic engagement and existing assets in rural and small-town revitalization, especially when driven by the people who know their communities best. At the heart of this movement is the Activate Rural Learning Lab (ARLL), an initiative of the … More Main Street Now Session Spotlight: Artist-Led Activation in Rural Minnesota

More than 35 Virginia Main Street (VMS) communities joined their fellow Main Streeters from across the nation in the birthplace of America for three full days of education sessions, workshops, and special events at the 2025 Main Street Now Conference. Community champions from across the country came together to exchange ideas and strengthen their ability … More Virginia is for Main Street Lovers: Highlights from the 2025 Main Street Now Conference in Philly!

Virginia Main Street (VMS) has been selected – as one of two coordinating programs out of 24 applicants – to participate in the Unlocking Capital on Main Street program, a new national initiative led by Main Street America and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). This prestigious opportunity empowers communities to build stronger, … More Virginia Main Street Selected for National “Unlocking Capital on Main Street” Initiative

Did you miss the latest episode of the Virginia DHCD Partners for Better Communities podcast? Don’t worry – it’s available now! In this special installment, Courtney Mailey and Rebecca Rowe dive into the impact and legacy of the Virginia Main Street program as it celebrates an impressive 40 years of revitalization, resilience, and community-driven success. … More A Look Into Virginia Main Street

Since 2019, minority-owned businesses in the City of Martinsville and Henry County have been working together to create opportunities for success and overcome systemic barriers. Through dedicated efforts, and perseverance throughout the COVID pandemic, this informal network has evolved into a formal 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Minority Business Consortium (MBC). Historically, minority business owners have … More Empowering Minority-Owned Businesses in Martinsville

During the month of March, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team published eight blog posts, highlighting the latest community-vitality news, events and more! Here’s a recap: Downtown Visitation Trends In partnership with Main Street America and Placer.ai, VMS commissioned a report about visitation trends for all 37 historic commercial districts designated at the highest tier in 2024. … More In Case You Missed It: March 2025 Digest