July 9, 2009
Virginia Main Street Training Opportunities
Virginia Main Street Summer Toolkit: Getting Strategic About Main Street
July 29 and 30
Winchester, Virginia
Identifying a strategic advantage can move your revitalization program to an entirely new level of economic effectiveness. This summer’s toolkit is designed to help you strategically focus your revitalization efforts around your community’s strengths.
Join the Virginia Main Street network of downtown revitalization professionals and volunteers for this fast paced, interactive event featuring business development strategists and a new look at Old Town Winchester
To register or for more information, visit: http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/mainstreet.
Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) Certification Program
Charleston, West Virginia
The National Development Council’s four-course comprehensive training series for economic development practitioners is being held over the next nine months. Participants will build the capacity they need to successfully create jobs and translate economic development opportunities into results. For more information, visit: www.bbttraining.com.
ED 201 – Business Credit Analysis Aug. 31 - Sept. 4, 2009
ED 202 – Real Estate Finance Jan 11 - 15, 2010
ED 300 – The Art of Deal Structuring March 22 - 26, 2010
Women in Business Workshop
July 10, 9 a.m. to Noon
Abingdon, Virginia
Join the SWVA Chapter of the Risk Management Association in a panel discussion concerning resources for entrepreneurs in an economic downturn. The program will include:
How to start and operate a business;
Resources and ideas for entrepreneurs;
SBA facilities and business plans;
Banking options, lending criteria;
Marketing techniques and opportunities; and
Question and answer session with panelists
Everyone is invited to attend this free conference; light refreshments will be provided.
More information and registration is available online at: http://www.vastartup.org/register/events/.
Orange County Entrepreneur Express: Moving Your Business Forward
July 21, 8:30 a.m. to Noon
Orange, Virginia
The Moving Your Business Forward workshop is designed to provide information on available business resources and to deliver practical, hands on training covering key elements of business practice. Workshop segments will include information on how to start and operate a business, growing an existing business, marketing strategies, financing and other available resources. For more information, visit: http://www.vastartup.org/register/events/.
Virginia Tourism Commission Help Desk
August 19, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
South Boston, Virginia
Tourism businesses and local organizations can meet one-on-one with Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) staff to take advantage of their education, development and marketing services. Breakout sessions at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. for orientation, grants and customer service training. For more information, visit: http://www.vatc.org/PAM/workshops.asp.
Entrepreneur Essentials in Staunton
August 3, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Staunton, Virginia
Whether you are a seasoned or new entrepreneur, this event will have resources,
exhibits, workshops, giveaways and more just for you. For more information visit: www.stauntondowntown.org.
Announcements
DHCD’s Change of Address
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will be moving its office location on July 9 – 10. Due to this move, the agency will be closed to business on these days. Computer services may not be available during this time; however the agency will resume business as usual on Monday, July 13. The agency’s new address will be:
Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
Main Street Centre
600 East Main Street, Suite 300
Richmond, VA 23219
All phone and fax numbers will remain the same.
On the Virginia Main Street Blog
Which Main Street community was recommended as a top 100 destination for the summer travels of New Yorkers? Find out on the Virginia Main Street Blog. Recent posts cover topics like measuring the effectiveness of your town’s art walk and connecting your revitalization efforts to your area’s natural assets. New posts are added each week to the Virginia Main Street Blog, so mark it as a favorite or sign up for an RSS feed.
Take a Virtual Tour of Virginia Main Street Communities
It’s easy to take a virtual tour of all of Virginia’s designated Main Street communities. Just click through the list on the VMS Blog page dedicated to our communities.
Manassas offers WiFi Access for Old Town Shoppers
The City of Manassas Internet Service has installed a WiFi system in the Old Town area for residents and visitors to use while they are in the Old Town area shopping or dining. The wireless can be accessed by connecting to Manassas WiFi. The main coverage areas are Battle Street, The Walkway, and the Loy E. Harris Pavilion.
Virginia Main Street Community Events
Abingdon, Main Street 5K
Saturday, August 1, 6:30 p.m.
Register at the Abingdon Market Pavilion for this Main Street run. Event starts at 7:30 p.m. and registration is $15.
Berryville, Dog Days of Summer Festival
Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m.—Noon
Enjoy Downtown Berryville with your canine friend. Events include a look-alike contest, a stupid pet trick contest, a dog health presentation from a renowned doggie doctor, and demonstrations by the Berryville and Winchester sheriffs’ departments canine units and Bartemus the flying Frisbee dog.
Culpeper, The Embers —Third Thursday Summer Concert Series
Thursday, July 1, 5 - 9 p.m.
Downtown Culpeper will move to the sounds during July’s installment of this monthly event at the Depot.
Marion, Hungry Mother Arts & Crafts Festival and Marion Downtown Days Summer Festival
Friday through Sunday, July 17 – 19, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Park downtown and ride the free shuttle all weekend. Activities at both venues include arts, crafts, and food booths, live music at the park. Friday night downtown features Chili Championship, Show ‘n’ Shine vehicle show, and street dance with Phantom. Saturday features sidewalk sales, vendors, and a special evening of live music, children’s theater and special menus at downtown eateries.
Martinsville, Uptown Vision Day
Saturday, July 25:, 8:30 a.m. - Noon
Join Uptown stakeholders from throughout Martinsville and Henry County for a look at the future of Uptown. The interactive morning will include mini-walking tours, a sampling of Uptown eateries, and discussion of strategies for Uptown as a robust business and community hub. For more information visit: www.uptownmville.com.
