Welcome to the North Main Street Business District Monthly Newsletter. If you are a North Main business owner, property owner, or employee and would like to share your news, celebrations, and updates please send them to Kirsten Aherron (RDA Communications and Events Manager), at kirsten@riverdistrictassociation.com. And please share this newsletter and the North Main Facebook page!

https://www.riverdistrictassociation.com/additional-business-districts

Who should attend the Southern Virginia Regional Procurement Fair? 

 Companies that want to work with the government or large industries, such as Caesars Virginia 

 Small, Minority, or Women Owned businesses 

 Businesses interested in accessing capital  

This event is the perfect opportunity to get your foot in the door and your business on the map in working with new and large industries!  

 Wednesday, April 10 

 2 Sessions, 8:30am-12:00pm OR 1:30-5:00pm 

 Institute for Advanced Learning & Research, 120 Slayton Avenue, Danville, VA 

The Backing Small Businesses grant program is now open!

In partnership with American Express, the Backing Small Businesses grant program supports economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with community reach.

This year, eligible small business owners can apply for $10,000 grants for projects that grow or improve their businesses by building community, supporting their economic viability, or bolstering meaningful change.



Applications will be accepted from 9 a.m. CT on March 14, 2024, through April 7, 2024, at 11:59 pm CT. The application period will end once 5,000 applications have been submitted, even if that occurs before the deadline—so make sure to apply early!

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3Z0mHqk

The River District Association and the North Main Business District invite you to join us monthly starting in August to hear from amazing, innovative and influential local Black women. Each month, on the 3rd Wednesday at 12 noon tune into the North Main Business District Facebook page for a live interview to hear the inspiring life stories of these women. We have ten great speakers lined up. Then in June 2024 we will have a live in-person panel interview with all 10! We can't wait for you to join us.

Link to North Main Business FB page: https://www.facebook.com/northmaindistrict

December 2023

Felice McWilliams

November 2023

Crystal Cobbs

October 2023

Chief Shelby Irving

September 2023

Kitteria Mayo

August 2023

Everlena Ross

Did you know that the Longwood Small Business Development Center offers a wide variety of webinars (many of them FREE, some with a small fee), as well as one on one business consulting. If you need help thinking through a business plan, or how to expand your business, the SBDC is a great resource.

Check out what's offered at: www.sbdc-longwood.com

The North Main District is from Riverside Drive, up North Main Hill to Thomas Street. For those wishing to stay up to date on revitalization in the North Main District, you can follow the Facebook page: Facebook.com/northmaindistrict

The River District Association (RDA) is excited to be piloting an initiative that will bring the revitalization programming that has been successful in the River District to the North Main Business District. The work in the River District will continue with the same energy and focus. RDA will help facilitate community led visions for the North Main Business District, and provide support through existing programming such as the Dream Launch Bootcamp, Facade Improvement Grants, and more.  

The River District Association (RDA), formerly Downtown Danville Association, was formed in 1999 to coordinate efforts to revitalize the downtown Danville, Virginia community, now called the River District. RDA is comprised of a volunteer Board of Directors which includes representatives from River District businesses and property owners, the City of Danville, and other community stakeholders.

Our city enjoys accredited status under the Virginia Main Street Program. The program is over 20 years old and is recognized nationally as the most successful formula for downtown revitalization. We are committed to the Main Street Four-Point Approach™ of organization, promotion, design, and economic vitality.

RDA follows the Main Street model to coordinate the public-private partnerships required to revive Danville's River District and now, other Neighborhood Business Districts (NBD). We work with the City of Danville, area businesses, and institutions to develop programs and events to get the community working together; to market the area's unique assets; to get the district in top physical shape; and to attract and retain businesses.