COASTAL LIVING magazine recently announced its seventh annual top 10 list of America’s Happiest Seaside Towns. The unranked list includes top beach destinations across the United States, from Michigan to Florida and from Oregon to…Virginia’s Cape Charles! Here’s your call to action! You have until February 6 at 5 p.m. EST to vote for your … More Vote for America’s Happiest Seaside Town
The people who make up the Virginia Main Street network are passionate advocates, dedicated volunteers, influential stakeholders, and community organizers who work every day to turn the tide in their communities – catalyzing reinvestment, creating jobs, and fostering pride of place. In order to meet new Main Street challenges and foster an effective organization, Virginia … More 2018 VMS Training Opportunities
“Downtowns are being reborn through the Main Street Approach.” – Kathy Frazier Behind those encouraging words are years of wisdom and committed service to small towns across Virginia, something worthy of recognition. Accordingly, Frazier Associates was recently recognized for their distinguished architecture and community leadership with AIA … More Frazier Associates Recognized for Design Achievement
Our guest blogger is Luray Downtown Initiative (LDI) Executive Director Meredith Dees. She is a Luray native and recently returned after a career experience in Denver, CO overseeing regional retail operations for a yoga brand. Any Main Street manager will tell you that as soon as they hear the words “road construction” or “street closures” … More An Evening on the Bridge: Luray’s Hometown Fundraiser
While you were busy making a difference in your home town, you might have missed these thought-provoking posts: Holiday Customer Service: 7 Tips Retailers Should Not Ignore – Retail Minded Craft Beer’s Big Impact on Small Towns and Forgotten Neighborhoods – Curbed 6 Urban Projects Built Thanks to Online Civic Engagement – CitizenLab How to … More The District Digest Vol. 2 – Downtown Ideas to Put to Work
The Downtown Lynchburg Association (DLA) knows how to lift up their community. Right now they’re raising awareness of the hardworking entrepreneurs who, with their own hands, are making downtown the destination for local shopping. Our guest blogger, DLA Executive Director Ashley Kershner, gives us the goods. As part of our overall marketing strategy this year, … More Downtown Lynchburg: Where the Makers Are
The Ashland Main Street Association and its local partners are dedicated to making downtown an amazing destination. How? By embracing their transportation history they are improving the visitor experience and creating memorable central gathering spaces. Executive Director Tom Wulf is our guest blogger with the details. Earlier in 2017, mural artist Ed Trask and … More The Destination Express: Enhancing the Visitor Experience with History
What can your Main Street program do to make downtown more of a destination for locals and visitors? Would a punch list of key actions be helpful? With today’s market, Main Street communities are happily positioned for a resurgence. As a Main Street advocate, having a plan to ride that wave and make your downtown … More Practical, Low-cost Ideas to Make Your Downtown A Destination
Governor Terry McAuliffe recently announced that Virginia is now home to 206 licensed breweries, a 468% growth since 2012, when the tasting room bill, SB604, passed the General Assembly. A newly released economic impact study shows that Virginia’s booming beer industry contributes more than $9.34 billion annually to Virginia’s economy. “In addition to the direct … More Virginia’s Craft Beer Scene is Booming
The National Main Street Center recently announced that 24 Virginia Main Street communities have been accredited for their performance in 2016 – congratulations to – Abingdon, Altavista, Ashland, Bedford, Berryville, Blackstone, Bristol, Culpeper, Danville, Farmville, Franklin, Fredericksburg, Gloucester, Harrisonburg, Hopewell, Luray, Lynchburg, Manassas, Marion, St. Paul, South Boston, Staunton, Winchester, and Wytheville The Main Street … More Main Street America Accredits 24 Virginia Communities
Virginia Main Street 