Gentlemen of the Road stopover in Bristol

Bristol, TN/VA is a unique place.  “Two States; One State of Mind” is their motto, but navigating two sets of  building regulations, garbage pickups, tax codes and general government type operations can get a bit confusing. However, Christina Blevins, executive director of Believe in Bristol, Bristol’s Main Street organization, bridges the gaps everyday in a positive, [...]

Tourism Marketing Grants Announced

Governor McDonnell recently announced that the Virginia Tourism Commission (VTC) will award $635,000 in matching grants to 35 local tourism initiatives.  The grants, which require a 3-to-1 match, will help local and regional entities attract visitors by leveraging local tourism marketing dollars. Several designated Virginia Main Street (VMS) communities and their partners will receive grant funds. [...]

Waynesboro Applying to Become Designated Appalachian Trail Community

Waynesboro City Council unanimously approved a resolution to support city staff in gaining recognition as an official Appalachian Trail Community on October 25, 2011.  This designation would officially recognize the ongoing partnership between the city of Waynesboro and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and provide the city with promotional and economic development support.  Benefits of this [...]

A Call to Promotion – Tourism on the Rise in VA

“Tourism is an instant revenue generator and job creator for Virginia, which is why I continue to advocate for more resources for tourism marketing.  Smart investments in tourism provide economic benefits to communities across the Commonwealth and good jobs for our citizens.” – Gov. Bob McDonnell According to a press release issued by the Governor’s [...]

Harrisonburg drives downtown strategy for electric charging stations

In October, Harrisonburg will become the first city in the Shenandoah Valley, and one of only a handful of cities in the state, with a public, Level II electric car charging station. Located behind Harrisonburg Electric Commission (HEC) in downtown Harrisonburg, the charging station will provide citizens with clean energy for their electric vehicles and [...]

“If you don’t have anything else to do, dress up like a hotdog.”

Downtown districts hold events for a variety of reasons:  to raise the identity and up the energy of a district, to earn money for the  downtown organization and to boost retail sales in district stores.  All are good reasons, and the events promote the role of the district as the central convening point in a [...]

Bike Virginia puts pedal power into Radford economy

For three days, 2,000 cyclists from Virginia and other eastern states encamped in Radford as part of the 2011 Bike Virginia Tour. And, to help the region make the most of the event’s economic impact – projected at more than $1.5 million over the complete five days - Main Street Radford was busy providing volunteers, information, a welcoming spirit [...]

Heartwood opens doors as regional gateway

Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway is now open.  The facility welcomes visitors to the region and connects lifelong residents with the artisans and musicians that surround them in the 19-county region of Southwest Virginia. Perched on a knoll adjacent to I-81 on the campus of Abingdon’s Virginia Highlands Community College, the unique structure, by Roanoke’s Spectrum Design, should attract curious [...]

Radford to Host Bike Virginia Tour 2011

Spring is on the way, and communities all over Virginia are welcoming it with outdoor athletic events. From 5Ks to marathons, every athlete can find something to participate in over the next several months. This June, Radford, a Designated Virginia Main Street Community, will be hosting one of the most unique events Virginia has to offer—the Bike [...]

Virginia Sesquicentennial Tourism Marketing Program

Organizations all over Virginia are preparing for the statewide 150th anniversary of the Civil War and Emancipation, the Virginia Sesquicentennial.  Historic Manassas, Inc., a Virginia Main Street program, in coordination with the City of Manassas, is gearing up for the commemoration with a four-day event, July 21 -24, 2011, featuring living history demonstrations, speakers, art, music, [...]