RICHMOND, Va. – Gov. Terry McAuliffe on Wednesday announced $95,000 in Virginia Main Street funding for seven projects, three of which are in Lynchburg, South Boston and Wytheville.
Lynch's Landing Foundation and Destination Downtown South Boston each received $25,000, while Downtown Wytheville Inc. received $5,000.
In the past five years, designated Main Street communities have generated more than $159 million in private investments in their districts, resulting in the addition of 4,400 jobs across Virginia’s Main Street downtown districts, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
The funding includes grants for design and economic vitality projects in seven communities. The other four places that received money are Culpeper, Marion, Fredericksburg and Staunton.
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“I congratulate these seven localities on receiving these grants and look forward to seeing these projects become a reality,” McAuliffe said in a written statement. “Community revitalization is key for our Virginia Main Street communities and for our efforts to build the new Virginia economy. By continuing to invest in these downtowns, we are creating a catalyst for economic development, job growth and additional private investment.”
Here’s how the numbers broke down, in regards to the downtown investment grants:
--Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. was awarded $5,000 for the Walls of Culpeper Mural Project.
--Downtown Wytheville, Inc. will receive $5,000 for the Downtown Wytheville Project.
--The Marion Downtown Revitalization Association was awarded $5,000 for a Marion LOVE Sign.
--Destination Downtown South Boston will receive $25,000 for the John Randolph Hotel Area Redesign.
--Fredericksburg Main Street was awarded $10,000 for a Branding and Ambassador Program.
--Lynch’s Landing Foundation will receive $25,000 for Downtown Lynchburg – A New Brand.
--Staunton Downtown Development Association was awarded $20,000 for its StauntoNites Program.
The Downtown Investment Grants, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, are intended for projects targeting areas of specific need in historic downtown neighborhoods located in designated Virginia Main Street communities, the news release said. These grants are available to designated Main Street organizations to accelerate the economic revitalization of their downtown districts by helping put into place strategies, plans and programs that create an environment for increased private investment, officials said.
The Virginia Main Street program has been working to invigorate local communities since 1985, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore said.