Virginia Main Street Grant Opportunities

April 25, 2016

Virginia Main Street is currently accepting grant applications for FY 2017. Grants are available only to designated VMS communities and must be administered through the designated local VMS organization. Downtown Investment Grants (DIGs) allow Main Street organizations to take on unique, one-time projects that measurably, creatively and sustainably advance the organization’s goals and strategies. FY … More Virginia Main Street Grant Opportunities

Check out some great spring festivals in Virginia Main Streets

April 15, 2016

Spring has sprung! Are you ready to shake off the winter blues and enjoy downtown? Check out some of the exciting downtown festivals happening in a Main Street community near you: Winchester: Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival – April 22-May 1 Culpeper: Gnarly Hops and Barley Fest – April 30 Harrisonburg: Rocktown Beer and Music Festival – April 30 … More Check out some great spring festivals in Virginia Main Streets

Community blight has a cost and DHCD has a solution

April 4, 2016

In February, Governor McAuliffe announced award winners for DHCD’s Industrial Revitalization Fund for fiscal year 2016. Of those, three were Virginia Main Street Communities: the towns of Bedford and Warrenton and the city of Lynchburg. The IRF program can help rehabilitate derelict structures into economically viable uses again. The Center for Community Progress also posted an article about … More Community blight has a cost and DHCD has a solution

Virginia Main Street designates four new communties

March 30, 2016

Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced the designation of four communities in the Virginia Main Street (VMS) program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The newly-designated communities include the town of Wytheville, the cities of Danville and Lexington and Gloucester Courthouse in Gloucester County.  The communities were selected based on their … More Virginia Main Street designates four new communties

Preservation Virginia Releases Economic Impact Study of Virginia Main Street Program

October 13, 2015

On Wednesday, Preservation Virginia released a study measuring the economic impact of 30 years of the Virginia Main Street program. The report documents the Virginia Main Street program throughout the last 30 years. The report has documented the direct economic effects across Virginia Main Streets since 1985, when the program was adopted in Virginia to … More Preservation Virginia Releases Economic Impact Study of Virginia Main Street Program

Check the local news stands: Virginia Main Street in Southern Living

August 25, 2015

In the September 2015 issue of Southern Living, you will find a spread highlighting travel destinations across the commonwealth, including a special nod to our beloved Virginia Main Street communities.  Thank you to our partners at Virginia Tourism Corporation.  Web links direct readers to a list of the designated communities and points travelers to the heart … More Check the local news stands: Virginia Main Street in Southern Living

Register Now for the VMS Toolkit – September 15-16 in South Boston

August 13, 2015

Building a Resilient Nonprofit Together September 15-16 South Boston, Virginia Behind every exciting Main Street District beats the collective heart of volunteers, entrepreneurs and property owners working together to create an environment of invitation. Every day, residents and visitors are discovering what makes your Main Street their favorite, be it the shops, the food or … More Register Now for the VMS Toolkit – September 15-16 in South Boston

Virginia Main Street 2016 Designation How-to-Apply Workshops

June 26, 2015

Virginia Main Street  2016 Designation  How-to-Apply Workshops DHCD will be accepting up to three new designated Virginia Main Street Communities into this successful Virginia Main Street program in 2016. The communities must meet the eligibility criteria to be considered.  In addition to becoming part of the internationally-renowned National Main Street Center, a designated Virginia Main … More Virginia Main Street 2016 Designation How-to-Apply Workshops