Location: Gateway Theater 329 West Main Street Waynesboro, Virginia Every Main Street community focuses its economic redevelopment on the assets that make it unique – its historic architecture, eclectic mix of shopping and dining and festivals. But only a short hike, paddle or bike ride away is often an undervalued asset waiting to be incorporated … More Virginia Main Street Summer Toolkit
On June 7, Governor Bob McDonnell announced the designation of two new Virginia Main Street communities. With the addition of Ashland and Fredericksburg to the network, the total number of designated Virginia Main Street communities now stands at 26. “I am pleased to welcome these communities to the Virginia Main Street program,” said Governor McDonnell. “By supporting … More Governor McDonnell announces designation of two new Virginia Main Street communities
Benjamin Moore is currently holding the “Main Street Matters” contest where they will paint 20 Main streets across the U.S. and Canada. On the “Main Street Matters” website, it is stated that Benjamin Moore will be completing all of the projects throughout the next year with the help of local Benjamin Moore retailers and painting contractors. … More Main Street Matters contest
Culpeper’s State Theatre is the topic of the National Main Street Center’s Main Street Weekly May 14 edition. The $9.3 million historic rehabilitation of the 1938 Art Deco theater replaced a blighting, vacant building with a 560-seat state-of-the-art entertainment venue in the heart of Culpeper’s bustling Main Street district. The theater’s restoration has already spurred … More State Theatre Reopens in Culpeper
On March 22, the Virginia Main Street Program presented Milestone Achievement Awards to 15 Designated Main Street communities. The awards were presented at Richmond’s historic Hippodrome Theater. At the ceremony that focused on the results of Main Street efforts, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng spoke to the audience of more than 70 downtown … More 2013 VMS Milestone Achievement Awards
An Opportunity Summit will highlight new strategies and resources for Southwest Virginia entrepreneurs and emerging businesses. Entrepreneurs and small business owners will have the opportunity to connect with community leaders and explore possible new ventures in the counties of Tazewell, Russell, Buchanan, Dickenson, Wise, Lee and Scott and the city of Norton. Entrepreneurs developing business plans and seeking … More April 23 Opportunity Summit to Spotlight SWVA Entreprenteurship
There is usually a lot of confusion between mission and vision statements. Many hours are spent debating the differences between mission and vision. In short, mission statements are the main objectives of an organization, and vision statements are the long-term goals envisioned for the organization’s growth. A mission statement speaks to what the company is now. It concentrates on … More Mission vs. Vision
By encouraging and cultivating unique, local, independent commercial sectors, retail along Virginia’s Main Streets is on the rise. However, it is a brave new world that Main Streets retailers are operating in. “Capitalism is creative destruction,” Richard Sylla stated in a recent Entrepreneur article. “Old models get outmoded, and new models come in and take over.” Just … More Finding Main Street Customers Online
In these tough economic times when communities are struggling to retain existing businesses and to prevent more storefronts from closing up, attracting new businesses that will create new job opportunities is extremely challenging. Many communities are working hard to overcome these ills by creating an environment that fosters entrepreneurship. Research has shown that small businesses … More Economic Gardening Strategies
All across Southwest Virginia, the stories of men and women who worked in mines, furniture factories or textile mills can be read in the buildings you see today. In the coalfields, mining towns and camps sprang up wherever the coal seam led. Miners came from farms nearby, from the deep South and from Eastern Europe … More Embracing Nature, Culture and History: Appalachia’s new economy
Virginia Main Street 