Two Peninsula communities will get access to state resources and additional grant opportunities, thanks to their involvement with the Virginia Main Street Communities program.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin recently announced that Hilton Village Main Street in Newport News and The Phoebus Partnership in Hampton are among nine organizations to receive the Advancing Virginia Main Street Designation. According to a news release, the Department of Housing and Community Development has assisted localities in revitalizing downtown commercial districts through the Virginia Main Street program since 1985.
“I applaud these newly designated Virginia Main Street communities for their commitment to revitalization, and I look forward to your community’s continued success,” Youngkin said in the release.
The new designation will help the Hilton Village and Phoebus communities secure funding and services for market analysis, marketplace development, capacity building, design assistance, organization development, economic strategies and façade renderings for redevelopment projects.
Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones said in a statement that the city was excited to see the Hilton Village Main Street program have access to larger grants and more technical assistance.
In October, Newport News City Council approved a resolution supporting Hillage Village Main Street’s application for the “Advancing” tier in the Virginia Main Street Program.
City spokesperson Kim Bracy said in an email that Hilton Village Main Street is working closely with the resident and merchant community to support business growth and success in Hilton Village. In, addition to marketing and activating the district, which includes the weekly farmers market and the First Fridays Moon Market. She said Hilton Village welcomed over 25,000 visitors, with 51 weeks of Farmers Markets, as well as seven ribbon cuttings in 2024.
Joe Griffith, the Main Street manager for the Phoebus Partnership, said the designation will give the nonprofit an expanded set of tools to preserve the history, culture, and heritage of Historic Downtown Phoebus while fostering local economic growth. The Phoebus Partnership is currently working on updating its long-range plans for the Phoebus community and assessing what vacant buildings could be repurposed for a new use.
“The resources this opens up will help us support essential initiatives like nurturing local business, which is core to Phoebus’ identity, but it’ll also put a spotlight on historic preservation of the built environment, which is such a key part of our small-town charm,” Griffith said in an email.
Josh Janney, joshua.janney@virginiamedia.com