Virginia’s Main Street Program has economic impact of nearly $2 billion

During the past 30 years, Virginia’s Main Street program, which focuses on revitalizing historic downtowns, has created 11,908 jobs and more than 3,365 net new businesses for a total economic impact of nearly $2 billion.

That data comes from a study released earlier this month by Preservation Virginia, a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the state’s historic sites.

The study includes case studies on three of 25 Virginia Main Street communities: Culpeper, Harrisonburg and South Boston.

The statewide program was adopted in 1985. It created an approach to downtown revitalization that purses economic development within the context of historic preservation,

The report found that more than $1.2 billion has been invested in Main Street districts, with 71 percent coming from the private sector.

“Beyond the notable numbers, the Virginia Main Street program has helped these communities embrace the cultural history, a sense of community and a wonderful quality of life that attracts visitors,
residents and businesses alike,” Bill Shelton, director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development,  said in a statement.

Preservation Virginia commissioned the report with funding assistance from Shelton’s department, which manages the Main Street program.  Virginia Main Street uses the National Main Street model to help communities revitalize downtowns by focusing on their unique heritage and attributes.

To view the entire report, visit http://preservationvirginia.org/preserve/economic