best practices – Virginia Main Street

Retail Matters 2026: Big Trends, Local Opportunities

October 28, 2026

There’s always something special about gathering with people who share a passion for vibrant downtowns and thriving local businesses! On September 24, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team enjoyed reconnecting with colleagues, making new connections, and learning about Virginia’s evolving retail landscape at the Retail Matters 2026 luncheon, hosted by Retail Alliance in Hampton. The … More Retail Matters 2026: Big Trends, Local Opportunities

Welcome Warsaw to Exploring Main Street

July 29, 2026

Every successful downtown revitalization story begins with a community that recognizes its strengths, embraces partnership, and is willing to invest in its future. That’s why we’re excited to welcome the Town of Warsaw as the newest participant in the Virginia Main Street Exploring Main Street program. Located in the heart of Virginia’s Northern Neck, Warsaw … More Welcome Warsaw to Exploring Main Street

Demonstrating the Value of Main Street: Bonus Track

May 21, 2025

Laying the Foundation in Cape Charles How does a small town make the case for investing in Main Street? For Cape Charles, Virginia, the journey began with a simple but essential question: What value will this bring us? This “bonus track” in the Value of Main Street series (Part 1 & Part 2) tells the … More Demonstrating the Value of Main Street: Bonus Track

Building Capacity: How Toano Historical Society is Revitalizing Through Human Capital Development

September 23, 2024

In the heart of the unincorporated town of Toano, on the western edge of James City County, lies a small nonprofit with a big vision: the Toano Historical Society (THS). Founded in 2018, THS seeks to inspire community spirit, promote local history, and preserve the small-town character of the Toano Commercial Historic District—a collection of … More Building Capacity: How Toano Historical Society is Revitalizing Through Human Capital Development

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Nonprofits: Registration Open for Upcoming Workshop Series

August 8, 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the landscape across various sectors, including the nonprofit world. As your local Main Street program strives to do more with limited resources, AI offers solutions that can help streamline operations, enhance communication, and improve overall efficiency so there is more room to focus on real community impact. Artificial Intelligence … More Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Nonprofits: Registration Open for Upcoming Workshop Series

Fostering Growth: Appreciative Inquiry in Urbanna’s Main Street Startup

July 22, 2024

If you go looking for problems, that’s what you’re going to see. But, what if you had tools to help you amplify what is going right in your organization, at any stage of development? I (Kyle Meyer) have the pleasure of working with the Town of Urbanna, which is currently a Virginia Main Street (VMS) … More Fostering Growth: Appreciative Inquiry in Urbanna’s Main Street Startup

2024 Main Street Champion Merit Award Winner – Danville Regional Foundation!

July 5, 2024

The Virginia Main Street (VMS) program’s Main Street Champion merit award highlights an entity whose generous support and partnership has furthered a Main Street organization’s work. The 2024 award went to the Danville Regional Foundation (DRF) in Danville, Virginia. In 2010, DRF sponsored a “See the Possible” trip to Greenville, South Carolina, enabling local leaders … More 2024 Main Street Champion Merit Award Winner – Danville Regional Foundation!

Build a Better Building Inventory

June 13, 2024

How many vacant spaces are in your Main Street district? Where is there room to add more housing, businesses, and gathering spaces? Answering these questions is key to unlocking the potential of your built environment. A building inventory is essential for a thorough understanding of the physical and economic makeup of your commercial district. Creating … More Build a Better Building Inventory

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

Improve the Effectiveness of Your Nonprofit Board

November 14, 2018

Like grilled cheese and tomato soup, Main Street pairs well with BoardSource. BoardSource.org exists to help nonprofit boards become a strategic asset for their organization and effective nonprofit boards ensure the Main Street revitalization effort is under way and succeeding. Have I piqued your interest to learn more about a newly discovered resource or more … More Improve the Effectiveness of Your Nonprofit Board