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

Date: 7 Oct 2026
Released by: Office of Governor Abigail Spanberger

## MediaRelease.co Summary

Governor Abigail Spanberger announced $615,000 in Virginia Main Street grants for 22 community revitalization projects in historic downtowns. The awards include $445,000 in Downtown Investment Grants across 10 localities and $170,000 in Community Vitality Grants across 12 localities, and are expected to leverage more than $230,000 in local funding. The Department of Housing and Community Development administers the program.

## Original release

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: - 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. - 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.

## Key details

- Issued by: Office of Governor Abigail Spanberger
- Published: 7 Oct 2026
- Publisher country: United States
- Subject country/region: Virginia (United States)
- Original source: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/october-releases/name-1124572-en.html
- MediaRelease.co URL: https://mediarelease.co/us/mr01676-governor-spanberger-announces-615-000-in-virginia-main-07102026.html

Original source: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/october-releases/name-1124572-en.html
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