Tag: Excellence

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

Increase Your Small Business Success During National Small Business Week

April 24, 2018

Lexington is celebrating the start up of four new downtown businesses! On the evening of April 11, more than 100 fans witnessed a group of aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their best ideas for new downtown businesses in a one-night version of “Shark Tank,” with $60,000 in grants awarded.  Main Street Lexington hosted Launch Lex, which provided … More Increase Your Small Business Success During National Small Business Week

Frazier Associates Recognized for Design Achievement

January 16, 2018

“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

The District Digest Vol. 2 – Downtown Ideas to Put to Work

November 27, 2017

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

Start With “Why”: Creating Purpose-driven Special Events

October 5, 2017

On October 24, 26 and November 8 in St. Paul, Franklin, and Ashland, the fall edition of the Regional Rev Up workshops will equip your Main Street program with the tools you need to develop events that add up to meaningful change. When taking on a special event or festival, what guides your allocation of … More Start With “Why”: Creating Purpose-driven Special Events

“Booster Rockets” For Downtown Revitalization Momentum

March 30, 2017

After decades of market preference for suburban development, Main Street and downtowns are hot again! Back in the market, they are once again desirable targets for investment, business startups, expansion, the creative economy, housing, and tourism. So, how do we sustain that momentum, take advantage of the attention, and keep the revitalization progress moving forward?  … More “Booster Rockets” For Downtown Revitalization Momentum

Virginia’s Award Winning Destination Tourism

March 28, 2017

Governor McAuliffe recently announced that the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) received a national tourism industry award for its work promoting the Virginia Oyster Trail, a new initiative connecting travelers with Virginia’s oyster farms, raw bars, wineries, restaurants, artisans, and downtowns like Urbanna, Cape Charles, and Chincoteague. VTC was recognized with the prestigious National Council of … More Virginia’s Award Winning Destination Tourism

Berryville Main Street Celebrates 25 Years

March 15, 2017

Guest blogger Sue Ross, Executive Director of Berryville Main Street, has 10 years of Main Street experience and recently returned to Berryville to lead a refreshed program, creating new partnerships and an enhanced marketplace.  Berryville Main Street turned 25! We celebrated with bluegrass, local food, and friends in a restored downtown dairy barn.  Started in 1992, … More Berryville Main Street Celebrates 25 Years

Tell a Compelling Story to Raise Awareness and Revenue

March 10, 2017

Is your nonprofit telling a compelling story? The mission of Main Street is to enhance the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of historic downtown districts. To succeed, organization’s must be able to demonstrate real change on the ground with visible improvements AND specific metrics of success. To do this, use positive statistics such as jobs added, … More Tell a Compelling Story to Raise Awareness and Revenue