The Main Street Program has been incredibly successful, making it one of the most powerful economic development tools in the nation, even though it focuses on historic preservation and retaining community character. These statistics are tracked from 1980 to date and reflect activity in over 1,500 communities. There are different levels of donations to help the Gloucester Main Street Association. To join please fill out the pledge card.

The total amount of public and private reinvestment in Main Street communities: $12.8 billion

• The average reinvestment per community: $8,454,000
• Number of net new businesses generated: 51,000
• Number of net new jobs generated: 193,000
• Number of building rehabilitations: 62,000
• The ratio of reinvestment into the community, or the average number of dollars generated in each community for every dollar used to operate the local Main Street Program: $38.34 reinvested for every $1.00 spent

Our Strategy:

• Improve downtown's image by enhancing its physical appearance and functionality. 
• Build consensus and cooperation among the groups that play roles in our downtown.
• Market downtown's unique characteristics through promotional activity that builds positive perceptions.
• Strengthen the existing economic base by recruiting new business and increasing the competitiveness of existing businesses.

Accomplishments:

• Enhance Community Quality of Life
• Streetscape Project in Progress
• Alleyscape Project in Progress
• Downtown Events
• Strawberry Festival
• Music on Main Street
• Design/Beautification Support

Gloucester

The history of the daffodil in Gloucester County, Virginia is almost as old as the county itself.  When Gloucester was formed in 1651 from part of York County the early settlers brought these soft reminders of English springs as they established themselves in the area.  The soil and weather conditions were ideal for daffodils.  The bulbs were passed from neighbor to neighbor and spread from the orderly beds and burying grounds of the great houses to the fields.  Some, such as the hardy Trumpet Major variety, seemed to thrive on neglect.  By the beginning of the 20th century daffodils grew wild in the untended fields of Gloucester.  It is from this abundance of natural beauty that grew the extensive daffodil industry which earned the county the title "Daffodil Capital of America" in the 1930's and 40's. [Daffodil history provided by the Daffodil Festival Book Committee]

Other historical and genealogical information can be found at VAGenWeb.