News Flash Home
The original item was published from 10/22/2021 12:14:42 PM to 10/22/2021 12:16:21 PM.

News Flash

Danville, VA Local Government News and Announcements

Posted on: October 22, 2021

[ARCHIVED] River District Association awarded two grants

News release from the River District Association

The River District Association (RDA) is excited to announce that the organization has been awarded two competitive grants totaling $240,000 from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to further assist with their mission to strengthen the regional economy, allowing all to experience Danville’s high quality of life.  These grants have been awarded from a pool of $4.4 Million designated to 33 investment projects across the Commonwealth.  

A $90,000 Community Business Launch (CBL) grant will go towards expanding RDA's innovative Dream Launch Bootcamp and Pitch Competition. In its three years of operation, the Dream Launch program has trained over 200 entrepreneurs and awarded startup or expansion funds to 12 businesses in the district. This is the second time RDA has won funding through this grant program.   Registration to take part in year four of Dream Launch Boot Camp will open the beginning of November 2021.

The DHCD Community Resurgence grant award of $150,000 will go towards North Main Street Business District Revitalization. River District Association, in partnership with the Danville Regional Foundation and the City of Danville Office of Economic Development, will be able to provide services to an expanded footprint including but not limited to business assistance, marketing, façade improvement programs, and place making rooted in economic inclusion that prioritizes the neighborhood’s resident’s ideas and values in economic development decisions.  This expansion of services will lay the groundwork for infrastructure improvement, and will increase access to capital, loans, grants, and training for businesses interested in opening in the North Main Street Business District.  

“We are grateful to our many partners that make programs such as Dream Launch and Commercial District Revitalization possible; without the support of Virginia DHCD, we would not have been able to start the Dream Launch program in 2018.  The program has been instrumental to provide knowledge, connections, and resources to entrepreneurs throughout the region, not just in the River District” says Diana Schwartz, Executive Director of the River District Association, “we did not know we would ever be in a ‘Year Four’ of the program when we began, and certainly it is only through collaboration with our many partners that the program continues to be a success.”

To find out more about the River District Association, or if you have any questions, please visit www.riverdistrictassociation.com

The River District Association was organized in 1999 as the Downtown Danville Association.  In May 2015, the organization was renamed the River District Association to complement the City’s River District brand and is an Accredited by both the Virginia Main Street Organization and the National Main Street (Main Street America).

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Danville, VA Local Government News and Announcements

Installation of pavement markings scheduled

Posted on: September 22, 2023

Casino generates $19.6 million in August

Posted on: September 21, 2023

City awards grants to 29 small businesses

Posted on: September 20, 2023
Fall 2023 IDDU Graduation

Police Department honors IDDU graduates

Posted on: September 19, 2023
VACP Valor Award

Five officers receive VACP Valor Award

Posted on: September 13, 2023

City receives grant for Oak Hill cemetery

Posted on: September 12, 2023
Chris Wiles

City manager names interim police chief

Posted on: September 12, 2023

Regional housing summit registration opens

Posted on: September 12, 2023
Mayor delivers keynote address.

Mayor speaks at 9/11 commemoration

Posted on: September 11, 2023

City to hold ceremony at Oak Hill cemetery

Posted on: September 7, 2023

Project Imagine partners with CIS program

Posted on: September 6, 2023

Life Saving Crew to host 9/11 ceremony

Posted on: August 28, 2023
map - Memorial Drive resurfacing

Memorial Drive resurfacing scheduled

Posted on: August 28, 2023

Health data published through dashboard

Posted on: August 23, 2023

Housing Extravaganza set for Saturday

Posted on: August 23, 2023
Curtis Artis, Shakeva Frazier

Project Imagine staff members honored

Posted on: August 17, 2023
K.N. Kuper

First female added to Police SWAT team

Posted on: August 14, 2023