1. Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance builds up the local economy.
Our services help launch, sustain, and grow downtown businesses by connecting people with funding, expertise, marketing opportunities, promotions, and community.
Did You Know?
- Our Bricks & Clicks program provided grants and one-on-one expert guidance so businesses could modify their spaces (“bricks”) for public health and open or improve online stores (“clicks”) in order to adapt to the challenges of COVID-19.
- We email businesses about grant opportunities, federal assistance programs, and resources. Through the Harrisonburg Rockingham Small Business Taskforce, we helped raise and distribute over $106,000 in grants to area businesses in 2020.
2. Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance makes downtown spaces beautiful.
We design urban spaces that connect and uplift, making a stroll through downtown a memorable experience in itself.
Did You Know?
- HDR and the Arts Council of the Valley are commissioning a new art installation by local artist Jeff Guinn. His sculpture represents the rolling mountains that surround us and how language flows between people and creates new understanding. Harrisonburg High School students are assisting him with imagery for stencils that will be used to paint the sculpture to represent the diverse and multicultural makeup of Harrisonburg residents.
3. Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance brings together the community.
We bring energy to downtown with community-building events.
Did You Know?
- HDR brings the Harrisonburg community events like Friendly City Fourth, Skeleton Festival, BINGO is Life GOES BIG, Rocktown Beer & Music Festival, and the Winterfest Cookie Tour.
- During lockdown, we hosted Sofapalooza, a nine-part online concert series that brought you local music while raising money for musicians and business grants.
4. Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance tells the stories of downtown.
We amplify the voices of downtown and tell a cohesive story of vitality and community. We connect people to one another as much as we connect them to downtown destinations, activities, and opportunities.
Did You Know?
- We’ve highlighted the personal stories of business owners through our Friendly Faces of the Friendly City blog series by i love my burg author Katie Mitchell.
- During our #EverydayHVA shop local safely campaign, we encouraged fans of downtown to continue supporting their favorite businesses by submitting receipts and writing positive online reviews for a chance to win $25 gift cards to downtown businesses.
- We developed & promoted a webpage that highlights downtown’s black- and brown-owned businesses and developed the framework for the B-Cubed program designed to channel more resources to the area’s diverse entrepreneurs.
How Can I Support HDR for the Great Community Give?
Are you interested in supporting Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance during the Great Community Give? Here is how you can make a donation:
Online — make a donation now through April 21st on the Great Community Give website. You can learn more by visiting our profile page.
Check — If you prefer to send in a check, you can make donations out to Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance and mail it to the address below:
217 S Liberty St #204,
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Cash — If you prefer to contribute with a cash donation, you can drop off donations at our office suite. Please call or email ahead so we can schedule a drop-off time.
While we always accept and appreciate donations, if you would like your cash or check donation to go towards the Great Community Give, please deliver to HDR by April 21st at 4 pm.