Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development announces Virginia Main Street Milestone Achievement Awards

– Virginia communities recognized for downtown revitalization efforts –

RICHMOND – March 20, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development announced today the Virginia Main Street Program Milestone Achievement Awards to designated Virginia Main Street communities. The awards were presented at a dinner in Richmond that also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Virginia program.

“The Virginia Main Street program is a vital part of building a new Virginia economy,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “The work throughout the 25 Virginia Main Street communities and the many affiliates has created sustainable and vibrant downtowns that make Virginia communities a great place to live, work, play and do business.”

Main Street communities and organizations were recognized for achieving notable milestones in volunteer contribution, private investment and building rehabilitation. Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones served as keynote speaker for the event.

“In the last five years, designated Main Street communities have sparked more than $148 million in private investment in their districts,” said Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Director Bill Shelton. “As a result, last year, there was a net collective gain of 607 jobs across the 25 Main Street downtown districts.”

Below is a list of award recipients:

Volunteerism Milestone Achievement Awards
1,000 Volunteer Hours
Ashland Main Street Association
Fredericksburg Virginia Main Street Inc.
Hopewell Downtown Partnership
5,000 Volunteer Hours
Believe in Bristol
10,000 Volunteer Hours
Farmville Downtown Partnership
0,000 Volunteer Hours
Altavista On Track
35,000 Volunteer Hours
Culpeper Renaissance Inc.
Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association
50,000 Volunteer Hours
The Partnership for Warrenton Foundation
55,000 Volunteer Hours
Downtown Franklin Association
60,000 Volunteer Hours
Historic Manassas Inc.
90,000 Volunteer Hours
Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance
100,000 Volunteer Hours
Lynch’s Landing Foundation
110,000 Volunteer Hours
Staunton Downtown Development Association
Private Investment Milestone Achievement Awards
$1 Million in Private Investment
Believe in Bristol and the city of Bristol
Downtown Farmville and the town of Farmville
$25 Million in Private Investment
Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association and the city of Martinsville
$35 Million in Private Investment
Destination Downtown South Boston and the town of South Boston
The Partnership for Warrenton Foundation and the town of Warrenton
$60 Million in Private Investment
Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance and the city of Harrisonburg
$120 Million in Private Investment
Lynch’s Landing Foundation and the city of Lynchburg
Winchester Old Town Development Board and the city of Winchester
Building Improvement Milestone Achievement Awards
250 Building Projects
Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance and the city of Harrisonburg
500 Building Projects
Bedford Main Street and the town of Bedford

Winchester Old Town Development Board and the city of Winchester he Virginia Main Street program, managed by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, provides assistance and training to help communities increase the economic vitality of their downtown commercial districts. Virginia Main Street uses the National Main Street model to help communities revitalize their downtowns by focusing on their unique heritage and attributes. The program helps communities implement a comprehensive revitalization strategy that creates economic growth and pride in downtowns.

Contact: Amanda Pearson
Public Relations Director, DHCD
(804) 371-7006
amanda.peason (at) dhcd.virginia (dot) gov