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Main Street Buena Vista has taken a big step forward.
It has been designated as an affiliate Main Street America program for meeting significant performance standards.
Brooke Dalton, the executive director for MSBV, said this week, “Becoming a Main Street America affiliate program is a testament to our commitment to revitalizing and preserving our downtown district.
“It means joining a network of communities dedicated to fostering economic growth, preserving local heritage, and building vibrant downtowns,” she said. “Through this affiliation, we gain access to invaluable resources, expertise, and support, empowering us to create a thriving downtown that serves as the heart of our community.”
Main Street Buena Vista is currently in its second year as a mobilizing commu- nity through Virginia Main Street.
“Throughout this period, we’ve been actively engaged in various works, trainings, and reporting activities,” said Dalton. “Our aim is to progress to the next level and become an Advancing Main Street Community. This designation entails meeting specific criteria established by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), indicating a heightened level of commitment to downtown revitalization. Achieving this status could potentially unlock additional support and resources from the state program. We are about to commence the application process for this advancement.”
Dalton said that as the Buena Vista program progresses, it may have the opportunity to achieve accredited status.
Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of designated programs to recognize their commitment to create meaningful improvements to their downtowns using preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street approach.
Main Street Buena Vista’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and Virginia Main Street, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs that meet rigorous national community evaluation standards, according to a Main Street America press release.
These standards provide the Main Street America network with a strong foundational framework to review progress, recognize strengths, understand trends, and identify strategies that move Main Street programs forward.
To quality for affiliate status — Main Street America’s second designation tier —communities must demonstrate a strong commitment to the Main Street model and dedication to achieving outcomes in six areas: broad-based community commitment to revitalization; inclusive leadership and organizational capacity; diversified funding and sustainable program operations; strategy-driven programming; preservation- based economic development; and demonstrated impact and results.
“Main Street Buena Vista has made significant strides in revitalizing downtown Buena Vista over the past year,” said Dalton. “Through initiatives such as welcoming new businesses; beautification projects including benches, planters, bike racks, and the vinyl window project; and hosting hallmark events like Mountain Days, Connect with BV, Spooktacular, Small Business Saturday, and the Christmas Parade, we have added substantial value to our downtown community.
“Our strategic partnerships, including collaborations with the Chamber of Commerce to offer educational Lunch and Learns, further underscore our commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing the cultural vibrancy of Buena Vista,” continued Dalton.
