Cape Charles has been named the first Virginia Downtown, as part of a pilot program with Virginia Main Street through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
The Virginia Downtowns pilot program is working to better serve a wider range of Virginia communities and provide targeted organizational development support to VMS Commercial District Affiliates exploring application for VMS designation during the next available round.
“Downtown revitalization is key to creating stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems in our Main Street communities, and through the Virginia Main Street program, we are creating environments that will assist our downtowns in becoming vibrant, sustainable communities for residents, visitors and businesses,” said Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Director Erik Johnston. “With the support of the municipality, Cape Charles Main Street Inc. is making impressive strides in creating an inviting downtown for all, and we are excited to pilot the new Virginia Downtowns program in this flourishing community.”
Virginia Main Street has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts in Virginia for more than 30 years. Today, the program is a network of 28 designated communities and more than 80 affiliate communities who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.
Since 2012, communities participating in the program have leveraged more than $272 million in private investment, generated more than 3,000 net new jobs and garnered more than 406,000 volunteer hours.
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