Governor Northam Announces Over $144,000 in Virginia Main Street Grants

Governor Northam Announces Over $144,000 in Virginia Main Street Grants

 

~ Funding to support downtown revitalization efforts ~

 

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced more than $144,000 in Virginia Main Street grants for 12 projects. Downtown Investment Grants were awarded to the towns of Altavista, Blackstone, Orange, and St. Paul, and the cities of Hopewell and Staunton. Six Commercial District Affiliate grants were awarded to the towns of, Scottsville, Pulaski, South Hill, and Bowling Green and the city of Radford. Applications from the towns of Ashland, Halifax, Lawrenceville, and South Boston, and the cities of Franklin and Petersburg have been awarded technical services to complete proposed projects.

 

“Downtown revitalization combined with the development of strong local entrepreneurial ecosystems are important components of creating bustling commercial districts that attract residents and visitors alike,” said Governor Northam. “These grants and technical assistance will continue to transform our downtown communities, supporting our efforts to grow and diversify regional economies and helping our small and community-based businesses thrive.”

 

Downtown Investment Grants (DIG), administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), are for design and economic vitality projects targeting areas of specific need in historic downtown neighborhoods located in designated Virginia Main

Street communities. These grants are available to designated Main Street organizations to accelerate the economic revitalization of their downtown districts by helping implement innovative strategies, plans, and programs that create an environment for increased private investment. 

 

Commercial District Affiliate grants, administered by DHCD, are for projects targeting areas of specific need in historic commercial neighborhoods located in more than 90 Virginia Main Street affiliate communities. These grants are available to communities and organizations to accelerate the economic revitalization of their downtown districts by helping build organizational capacity or fund design projects that create an environment for increased private investment. 

 

“In the last five years, designated Main Street communities have sparked more than $406 million in private investment in their districts,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “Attracting private investment continues to be a goal for all of our Main Street communities, and through this funding, we are encouraging new investment in the community and creating sustainable downtowns for all to enjoy.”

 

In 1985, DHCD adopted the Main Street program for Virginia to help prevent downtown districts across the Commonwealth from economic decline. This unique program is Virginia’s state coordinating program for Main Street America, which works to re-energize economic development of downtown communities while utilizing their cultural assets and character. This is further accomplished by pooling the resources of their local civic and business leaders who are determined to bring their Main Street communities back to life. The innovative Main Street Approach uses design, promotion, economic vitality, and organization to help localities build better communities. The Virginia Main Street program is comprised of 26 designated communities and more than 90 Commercial District Affiliates throughout Virginia.

 

2020 Virginia Main Street Downtown Investment Grant Awards:

 

Applicant

Project Name

Locality

Amount

Altavista On Track

Local Resident and Employee

Town of Altavista

$1,000

Downtown Blackstone Inc.

Railway Parking Project

Town of Blackstone

$25,000

Hopewell Downtown Partnership

Art as Economic Development

City of Hopewell

$25,000

Orange Downtown Alliance

Downtown Design Enhancements

Town of Orange

$7,500

Staunton Downtown Development Association

Staunton Innovation Hub Square

City of Staunton

$25,000

St. Paul Tomorrow

Light up the Lyric

Town of St. Paul

$18,696

TOTAL:

$102,196

 

2020 Virginia Main Street Commercial District Affiliate Grant Awards:
 

Organization

Project Name

Award

City of Radford

POP! Façade Revitalization Grant Program

$7,000

Town of Bowling Green

Bowling Green Main Street Group Development

$7,000

Town of Dungannon

Baldwin-Horton Square Improvements

$6,565

Town of Pulaski

Capturing Cycling Adventurers for Pulaski’s Downtown Partners

$7,000

Town of Scottsville

Historic Buildings Improvement Grant

$7,000

Town of South Hill

Southern Virginia Food Hub Project

$7,000

TOTAL:

$41,565

 

Technical Assistance Awards:

 

Applicant

Project Name

Locality

Source

Ashland Main Street Association

Railroad Walking Museum and Urban Park Planning

Town of Ashland

Design Contract

Downtown Franklin

Branding Downtown Franklin

City of Franklin

DHCD

Town of Halifax

Revitalization Road Map

Town of Halifax

DHCD

Town of Lawrenceville

Sledge and Barkley Building Study

Town of Lawrenceville

Design Contract

City of Petersburg

Main Street Organization Development

City of Petersburg

DHCD

Destination Downtown South Boston

Branding Refresh

Town of South Boston

DHCD

Destination Downtown South Boston

Visual Connectors

Town of South Boston

Design Contract