Mobilizing Main Street Program:
How-to-Apply Webinar
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The VMS team will hold a how-to-apply webinar on October 11th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for Exploring Main Street (EMS) communities that are interested in applying to participate in the revamped MMS program to prepare the themselves to achieve VMS designation and national accreditation.
The MMS tier provides targeted organizational development support to build a community's downtown revitalization program over a two-year period. DHCD staff will coach communities through training, technical assistance and targeted grant opportunities, while empowering them to strengthen organizational capacity and community vibrancy.
This webinar will walk attendees through the application procedures and program requirements.
If you have any questions prior to the webinar, please contact [email protected].
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Development Ready Webinar Series | |
What does it mean to be a "Development Ready Community" or "Open for Business"? Often, there is a disconnect between messaging and reality. While a locality may say that they want to encourage new developments, their zoning code, incentives and access to capital say differently. The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is partnering with experts in the field to guide local governments, elected officials, community development organization, housing providers, developers and entrepreneurs through the steps needed to ensure that their community's vision can become a reality. This webinar series is a must for any community struggling to meet housing demands, rehabilitate derelict structures and fill vacant storefronts. | |
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Starting with a review of zoning code and policies, the Incremental Development Alliance will speak directly to localities and officials to analyze whether or not their ordinances meet their needs and intent. Place and Main Advisors will continue this conversation by showing localities how to find and market to experienced developers who will help the community meet their vision. Afterwards, our partners at Virginia Community Capital will take these concepts to the next level through resources to help further build local economies with small businesses and entrepreneurship.
Webinar Series Schedule:
10/05 | Small-Scale Incremental Development
10/12 | Marketing & Promo. for Attracting Developers
10/19 | Supporting Small-Business Development
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Elizabeth Williams
Faculty
Incremental Dev. Alliance
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Neil Heller
Faculty
Incremental Dev. Alliance
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Joe Borgstrom
Principal
Place + Main Advisors
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Cathy Lowe
Executive Director
Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator
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Sandy Ratliff
Vice President of
Community Innovation
Virginia Community Capital
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Danville's River District Association Named 2023 Great American Main Street Award Semifinalist | |
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Main Street America (MSA) has announced Danville's River District Association (RDA) as a 2023 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) Semifinalist. This prestigious award is the nation’s top award recognizing communities for their excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization.
RDA, formerly known as the Downtown Danville Association, was formed in 1999 to coordinate efforts to revitalize the downtown Danville, Virginia community, now called the River District. Since 2016, RDA and the City of Danville have enjoyed accredited status under the National and Virginia Main Street programs; the program and accreditation are recognized nationally as one of the most successful formulas for downtown revitalization.
The 2023 GAMSA winners will be announced at the Opening Plenary of the 2023 Main Street Now Conference in Boston, MA on March 27, 2023!
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Virginia Main Street Leads Panel Discussion
on Attracting Remote Workers
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Last month, Courtney Mailey, Virginia Main Street (VMS) Program Manager, helped lead a panel discussion during the Virginia Economic Developers Association's (VEDA) Fall Conference in Lynchburg, Virginia. In May 2022, VMS partnered alongside Main Street America (MSA) to pilot a study on how communities can identify their existing assets and the needed infrastructure to meet the needs of this market and become a place of choice for remote workers. The panel, which featured Matt Wagner, Chief Program Officer for Main Street America, Grace Blanchard, Regional Planner for the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, and Kristina Ramsey, Director of Economic Development for the City of Buena Vista, explored the key commonalities and unique market positions of the communities in the pilot study.
Dozens of local, regional, and state leaders, elected officials, and others in vital fields that work to support the economic health of the Commonwealth were able to learn more about how attracting remote workers is a new strategy for many communities, with the potential for big impacts on local economies without having to make a big investment in infrastructure.
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Microfinance Webinar:
How CDFIs Close the Wealth Gap
Through Supporting Small Businesses
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Starting a small business is one of the best ways to build wealth! Mark your calendars, and join our Microfinance team on Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM to hear about how Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) across the Commonwealth offer education, support and capital to help businesses start and grow to create great jobs and solve social problems. | |
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Industrial Revitalization Fund Planning Grant Application Now Open | |
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Applications are now being accepted for the FY2023 Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) Planning Grant, which is available to help bolster early-stage projects, enabling feasibility studies and other planning-related activities for potential IRF applicants in Spring 2023.
Applications must be received no later than 11:59 PM on November 04, 2022. Please review the FY2023 IRF Planning Grant Guidelines and the How-to-Apply webinar recording for additional details before submitting an application. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
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Community Business Launch Funding Expanded
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Has your community considered applying for a Community Business Launch (CBL) grant in the past, but needed a little bit more funding to make a real impact in your commercial district? Well, you’re in luck because Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 applicants can be awarded up to $110,000!
Interested in learning more about the CBL program and how to apply? Please contact Jessica Hartness, CBL Program Administrator, at 804-837-6399 or [email protected] for more information. More details coming later this fall!
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Application Open for VDOT Ready, Set, Go! Transportation Alternatives Grant Program | |
Do you have a transportation challenge in your community and are looking to develop the right-sized solution? The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) recently launched a new pilot program, called the Ready, Set, Go! Grant, designed to assist Virginia's smaller-sized communities in identifying, evaluating and reporting achievable, affordable and targeted non-motorized improvements. If selected for funding, a consultant-led team will assist <50,000 population communities to prepare for their potential FY25-26 Transportation Alternatives application (next round begins in Spring 2023). | |
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Virginia Main Street Blog Highlights | |
Blackstone Art Walk Encourages Community to Support Local Businesses and Creatives | A new event in Downtown Blackstone, VA has helped to transform the historic business district into a walkable art gallery, allowing residents and visitors alike to peruse the wares of traditional and contemporary artists and take in the charm of this small town as they visit local shops and restaurants. Organized by In Town Art, a local art gallery and studio, and support by Downtown Blackstone, Inc. (DBI), the Second Saturday Art Walk has encouraged community members to support small businesses and creatives! | |
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Hopewell Celebrates Two CBL Grand Openings During Third Thursday Street Festival | Hopewell Downtown Partnership (HDP), a Community Business Launch (CBL) grantee for 2022, hosted two grand openings last month at its regularly scheduled 3rd Thursday Street Festival. City Point Ice Cream and Burgers owners Phillip and Lexi Hughes and Jonathan Montiel, and Artisan Alley owner Ann Audrey Eliades Kirk both received funding from the Homegrown in Hopewell pitch competition, along with two other businesses, Box 5 Cabaret and Brain to Box. | |
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