Governor Spanberger Announces $615,000 in Virginia Main Street Grants to Revitalize Historic Commercial Districts Across 22 Communities

RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced $615,000 in grant awards to support 22 community revitalization projects across Virginia downtowns through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Virginia Main Street program.

The funding awards combine $445,000 in Downtown Investment Grants across 10 localities and $170,000 in Community Vitality Grants across 12 localities. These investments will also leverage more than $230,000 in local public and private funding to spark business development and infrastructure improvements to strengthen Virginia’s historic downtowns.

“Revitalizing our main streets means supporting small businesses and thriving communities in every corner of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “Local public improvements are integral to creating safer and healthier communities, new jobs, and a more affordable future. Walkable, vibrant, and unique downtowns are central to attracting businesses, encouraging tourism, and revitalizing communities where Virginians want to live and work.”

The Virginia Main Street program follows the Main Street Approach™ of Main Street America, enabling communities to breathe new life into blighted buildings, support independent businesses, and build mixed-use downtowns. In 2025, for example, Virginia Main Street communities generated more than $41 million in private investment and $10 million in public improvements while helping to create or retain more than 1,200 jobs. Downtown Wytheville won the 2026 Greater American Main Street Award for leading one of the nation’s most dramatic downtown turnarounds, reducing vacancy rates from 42 percent in 2014 to just 4 percent in 2026.

“Governor Spanberger is committed to growing an economy that delivers for every Virginian by approaching economic and community development as a holistic effort,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery. “By supporting downtown vitality and small business growth, we are supercharging Virginia’s economy and building a durable future filled with opportunity for all Virginians.”

The 10 Downtown Investment Grant awards will finance one-time physical improvement projects or provide technical assistance in creating vibrant downtowns in eligible Main Street communities. This cycle of awards leverages $237,000 in local investments for job creation, housing development, wayfinding, streetscape transformations, storefront activations and public events and art installations.

The 12 Community Vitality Grant awards will assist eligible Main Street communities by financing one-time projects that advance Main Street efforts or providing technical assistance in downtown revitalization and organizational development. Of the $170,000 in awards, $60,000 is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Community Development Initiative. Funded initiatives include wayfinding systems, organizational development plans, digital communication platforms, placemaking projects, business support programs, alleyway activations, and digital kiosks.

“Our team at DHCD is committed to partnering with local leadership to build stronger, more resilient communities,” said Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Tamarah Holmes, Ph.D. “These 22 projects demonstrate incredible readiness and alignment with community goals. We look forward to providing continued technical assistance to ensure every award delivers lasting economic and physical transformation.”

Downtown Investment Grant awards are listed below:

Locality/Organization

Project Name

Award

Farmville Downtown Partnership

Downtown Wayfinding

$75,000

The Phoebus Partnership

Clock Alley Catalyst

$75,000

Destination Downtown South Boston, Inc.

Petals on Main

$50,000

Downtown Colonial Beach

Cars, Carts and Creative Charm

$50,000

Downtown Galax Grows

Wayfinding Improvement

$50,000

Onancock Main Street

Brighten Onancock

$50,000

Winchester Main Street

Taylor Pavilion

$44,000

Historic Downtown Clarksville

Banners, Bistros & Benches

$25,000

Fredericksburg VA Main Street, Inc.

Market Square Alley

$17,000

Main Street Buena Vista

Downtown Wayfinding & Discovery Signage

$9,000

TOTAL:

$445,000

Community Vitality Grant Awards are listed below.

Locality/Organization

Project Name

Award

Clifton Forge Main Street

Community Branded Amphitheatre Seating

$15,000

Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization

Columbia Pike Partnership 2026 Placemaking Strategy

$15,000

Downtown Christiansburg Incorporated

DCI Community Vitality Grant 2027

$15,000

Partnership Development Foundation

Olde Towne Portsmouth Restaurant Incubation & Business Placement Initiative

$15,000

Pulaski On Main Inc

2026 Downtown Pulaski Wayfinding Initiative

$15,000

Town of Leesburg Economic Development Department

Downtown Kiosk Development

$15,000

Town of Mt. Jackson

The Milestone Mile: A Mount Jackson Heritage Walk

$15,000

Town of Rocky Mount

Community Partnership – VMS Community Vitality Grant – 2027

$15,000

Town of Woodstock

Downtown Discovery Trail

$15,000

WATCH Downtown Suffolk, Inc.

WATCH Downtown Suffolk, Inc.’s Board Development Initiative

$15,000

Waynesboro Downtown Development, Inc.

Destination Downtown Waynesboro Third Space Activation 2027

$15,000

Town of Boones Mill

Downtown Wayfinding Implementation

$5,000

TOTAL:

$170,000

About Virginia Main Street: The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development administers the Virginia Main Street Program that partners with Virginia’s communities to develop vibrant economies and living environments. For more information, visit https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/vms.

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Email Abigail Spanberger at:
abigail.spanberger@governor.virginia.gov

Richmond is an independent city in the Richmond region.

Waynesboro is an independent city in the Shenandoah Valley.

Email Abigail Spanberger at:
abigail.spanberger@governor.virginia.gov

Buena Vista is an independent city in the Shenandoah Valley.

Portsmouth is an independent city in Hampton Roads.

Winchester is an independent city in the Shenandoah Valley.

Suffolk is an independent city in Hampton Roads.

Fredericksburg is an independent city in the Fredericksburg area.