What is National Main Street®?
We all know what our Main Street looks like today. Not all of us know what it looked like in the past or how it might look in the future. Main Street represents the economic engine and the core of the community. Main Streets are the places of shared memory where people still come together to live, work, shop and play.
A proven strategy for revitalization
A powerful network of linked communities
A national support program
When we talk about Main Street, we are thinking of real places doing real work to revitalize their economies and preserve their character. Specifically, National Main Street® is three things:
Is there a Virginia Main Street Program?
Since 1985, Virginia Main Street, a program of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), has been helping localities revitalize the economic vitality of historic downtown commercial districts. The results have been remarkable. Entrepreneurs are opening new businesses, investors are putting their money into once vacant buildings, tourist are visiting new shops and restaurants, and residents are enjoying renewed community pride.
What is the Main Street Four Point Approach?
The guiding principles of the Main Street Four Point Approach are:
Why does WRC need a MSP?
Warsaw was an economic center in earlier years. In the early 1900's merchandise was brought in by steamboat on the Rappahannock River and distributed to other localities in the Northern Neck. Richmond Road was referred to as Main Street at that time. In 1927 the Downing Bridge changed the mode of transportation and Warsaw became a bustling center of commerce in the 1960's. Manufacturing added to the viability of the local economy.
However, within the past few years, economic conditions have taken a toll on Warsaw. Rappahannock Community College (RCC) has served as a stabilizing "Jewel" through much of the period of economic distress. New signs of vitality are slowly beginning to appear along Richmond Road again. New development is occurring near RCC. The potential for success is reflected in the folowing facts: Since 1985, disignated Main Street communities in the Commonwealth have generated more than $600 million in private investment, completed more than $4500 rehabilitation projects, and created more than 13,500 new jobs and 4600 new businesses.
About Us
WRC MSP is an organization dedicated to revitalizing Warsaw and other areas of Richmond County in order to help grow business, create jobs, increase tourism, and improve citizen satisfaction. The success of a Main Street Program depends upon the support of sponsors and volunteers who give their time, talent, and cash or in-kind contributions. We are grateful to our wonderful sponsors and citizen volunteers who helped to make WRC MSP a great success in 2011.
