Public Announcements

Colonial Beach Celebrates Its Designation as a Virginia Main Street Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Susan Mack
Executive Director (Acting)
Downtown Colonial Beach (DCB)
https://www.downtowncolonialbeach.org/
Colonial Beach Celebrates Its Designation as a Virginia Main Street Community
Colonial Beach, VA – 01/06/2025 –Downtown Colonial Beach (DCB), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, proudly announces its designation as an Advancing Virginia Main Street Community. Governor Glenn Youngkin’s announcement on December 23, 2024, marks the culmination of two years of tireless dedication and transformative development in the Downtown Colonial Beach area.
This prestigious designation unlocks unparalleled opportunities for Colonial Beach. As part of the Virginia Main Street program, an initiative by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in coordination with Main Street America, DCB will now receive comprehensive support to energize and revitalize the heart of our town. From market analysis to design assistance and economic strategies, these resources will propel Colonial Beach’s downtown into a new era of growth and vitality. Moreover, DCB will join a dynamic network of other Virginia Main Street communities and gain access to the vast expertise of Main Street America.
A Legacy of Success: Since 1985, the Virginia Main Street program has driven the creation of more than 8,200 businesses, 27,000 jobs, and $2.6 billion in public and private investment. By becoming part of this legacy, Colonial Beach is poised to achieve incredible milestones of its own.
Building a Brighter Future: “This designation is a testament to the unwavering commitment and hard work of our entire community,” said Susan Mack, Acting Executive Director. “We are thrilled to embrace the resources, partnerships, and opportunities provided by Virginia Main Street to elevate the vibrancy and charm of Colonial Beach.”
This milestone signifies more than just an accolade – it’s a promise of a brighter future for Colonial Beach, Westmoreland County, and the entire Northern Neck region. Enhanced tourism, stronger local businesses, and enriched community connections are just the beginning of what’s to come.
For more information about this exciting achievement and how it will shape the future of Colonial Beach, please contact Susan Mack at 804-892-2456 or susanblueskies@hotmail.com, or visit https://www.downtowncolonialbeach.org.
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RCDI Grant Initiative Announcement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Virginia, led by State Director Perry Hickman, and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), represented by Community Development Manager Rebecca Rowe, selected Colonial Beach, Virginia, as the location to announce a new phase of the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI). This $500,000 grant, awarded to DHCD’s Mobilizing Main Street (MMS) program, aims to boost local economic growth. MMS offers a two-year training course based on the Main Street Approach™ to strengthen small-town economies, engaging nonprofits and local governments statewide.
Downtown Colonial Beach (DCB), a 2022 grant recipient, has become a model for leveraging these funds. This effort has elevated the town as a leader in community improvement, strategic planning, and economic development. The current initiative will benefit ten communities in Central, Southside, Valley, and Southwest Virginia. DHCD’s Virginia Main Street Program, active for 40 years, is working with an initial cohort that will complete the program by December 2024. Past projects in Colonial Beach include wayfinding systems, façade improvements, strategic planning, and placemaking. RCDI grants focus on economic development, affordable housing, and community facilities in towns under 50,000 residents. USDA Rural Development supports these efforts by funding infrastructure, business development, housing, and internet access to improve rural quality of life.