A street with cars parked on the side and buildings in the background Description automatically generated with low confidenceThe West Piedmont Planning District Commission is excited to partner with two communities on downtown revitalization planning projects. The Town of Boones Mill and the Town of Stuart (Patrick County) have both been awarded funding from VA Department of Housing and Community Development for Downtown Revitalization Planning Grants through the Community Development Block Grant program. Each community will receive up to a $50,000 grant for the creation of an economic restructuring plan to revitalize and promote investment in their downtowns. West Piedmont staff provided technical assistance for the application process and will administer the grants for both localities.

The Town of Boones Mill will focus their study area on the town’s commercial corridor along US 220. The Town is looking to focus on façade improvements, evaluate streetscaping needs, and address the lack of pedestrian connectivity within the Town.

The Town of Stuart planning area encompasses their recently designated historic district. Their plan is looking to address the lack of cohesive parking, improve safe pedestrian pathways, and blight mitigation within their downtown.