Tag: virginia

Webinar – Buy Local First: Driving Customers to Main Street for a Resilient Economy

February 21, 2018

On March 8, 12 – 1 p.m., Virginia Main Street is offering a free webinar focused on how to promote buying local and practical ways to build a resilient economy in your community.   Local isn’t just a place on a map. It’s people: your neighbors and their families, their businesses, farms, nonprofits, events, and … More Webinar – Buy Local First: Driving Customers to Main Street for a Resilient Economy

Vote for America’s Happiest Seaside Town

February 2, 2018

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

2018 VMS Training Opportunities

January 30, 2018

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

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

Downtown Lynchburg: Where the Makers Are

November 1, 2017

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 Heart of the Revitalization Process: Community Engagement

September 5, 2017

Warrenton has earned more than 25 years of wisdom as a Virginia Main Street Designated Community. In 2017, their Main Street program celebrated a reboot, a new “booster club” and mantra:  Experience Old Town Warrenton.  To get there, the first thing the community leaders did was invite all stakeholders to be proactive participants in the … More The Heart of the Revitalization Process: Community Engagement

Main Street America Accredits 24 Virginia Communities

June 19, 2017

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

Public Art: Making downtown a joyful, active, and social place

June 9, 2017

May 15-19, 2017 marked Art Week @StrongTowns and, while those days have come and gone,  public art catalyzes Main Street’s unique vitality throughout the year. Old Town Winchester, host of the upcoming Virginia Main Street Downtown Intersections, creates an outdoor gallery experience through the Artscape program. An annual, juried art competition, Artscape  reproduces selected artwork on … More Public Art: Making downtown a joyful, active, and social place

Pop-Up Altavista 2.0: Cultivating Local Entrepreneurs with an Educational Business Launch Competition

November 9, 2016

How can Main Street help entrepreneurs achieve a business expansion or start their own business? The National Main Street Center’s Main Street Story of the Week features Pop-Up Altavista 2.0, Altavista On Track’s (AOT) second business launch competition.  Emelyn Gwynn, Main Street Coordinator for Altavista, highlights the program, which kicked off September, 2016.  Building off … More Pop-Up Altavista 2.0: Cultivating Local Entrepreneurs with an Educational Business Launch Competition