Strengthening the economic health and vitality of Virginia's historic downtowns requires addressing such diverse but interrelated factors as economic development, design, promotion and organization structure. Communities may possess the commitment to downtown revitalization, but lack the technical expertise or financial resources to address the variety of complex issues involved.

A source of technical expertise is available to communities through Virginia Downtown Development Association (VDDA). VDDA will establish a team of specially selected professionals based on identified needs to visit a community to assess and develop ways to address critical downtown issues. A techical assistance visit focuses on specific issues, identified as critical by the locality, to develop strategies for local action.

Team members are professionals from VDDA's membership with expertise in areas such as: business retention and recruitment, program funding, landscape architecture, façade design, and historic preservation.

Who is Eligible?

Program services are available to any community with a viable, active, broad-based downtown revitalization organization. The entity requesting a visit must be, or become, a member of VDDA. VDDA will handle requests for technical assistance visits on a first come, first served basis.

How Can We Participate?

To participate, a local downtown revitalization organization or local government submits a request to VDDA using the technical assistance request form. The request should include an outline of current and past revitalization activities, issues to be addressed during the Team visit, and evidence of a commitment to implement a local action strategy. Requests must be made sixty days prior to a visit to allow time to arrange and prepare for a visit.

For more information on VDDA's technical assistance services, please contact the VDDA Executive Director at 434-238-0986 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .