Meet HDR…

HDR was created to reactivate the downtown historic district as the economic and social hub of Harrisonburg. Since our inception in 2003, the community has volunteered over 100,000 hours to support HDR’s events, downtown promotions, and beautification projects that attracted businesses, developers and commerce back into the once-neglected streets and buildings. Over $105 million in private and public dollars have been reinvested; downtown housing grew from 150 to 600 units; the number of eateries has expanded from 12 to 36 restaurants plus 5 breweries; and the region enjoys our welcoming year-round events. When HDR started, people may have come here with one stop in mind. Now the entire downtown is their destination! Our downtown earned national recognition as a Great American Main Street Award winner and the National Main Street Center recognized HDR as a leader in revitalization. But, we aren’t stopping!

Celebrating Community

The streets of downtown are where connections happen through community events, civic and social gatherings. HDR creates events and works with other organizations to bring their events to life. Find event space for your celebration Plan a city event

Check Out Our Events

Creating a Destination

A movement, led by HDR, to reframe how we view our streets and businesses as a place to have genuine interactions with each other. Each street in downtown has their own story to tell and we want you to be the illustrators. Connect with us and have a direct impact on how the public spaces in your downtown look, function, and feel.

Learn about Our Grant Programs

Supporting Local

HDR pours its heart into helping local small business owners succeed. Through business assistance, workshops, promotions, consultations, and partnerships, downtown Harrisonburg has become economically prosperous.

Call for Local Artists

Building a Downtown Together

The achievements of downtown Harrisonburg is a success story for the whole community to celebrate. From a grassroots beginning to a Great American Main Street award winner, HDR and downtown Harrisonburg are here because of you. Get involved and help continue to build the community where you want to live.

Get Involved

HDR: OUR STORY, OUR IMPACT

Established in 2003, HDR set out to reverse the devastating impact many years of economic decline had on downtown. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Harrisonburg’s downtown thrived as the bustling county seat of Rockingham County but struggled when people and businesses began moving to the suburbs. HDR worked with local government, business and property owners, and community groups to bring them back. Today, downtown is the heart and soul of Harrisonburg. There is always something to do, including dance classes; art workshops and yoga at our craft breweries; live music; the farmers market; art exhibits; movies, and so much more. Our walkable, bikeable community offers much to explore from 35+ restaurants to museums to local history. Our quality of life is highly sought after -- downtown Harrisonburg is a livable, vibrant community where people are passionate about the Shenandoah Valley and creating a place that we love together. Downtown is where you can start your business, walk to work, meet your neighbors, raise your family, enjoy the mountains, get involved, and shop local. HOW DID WE DO IT? By using the Main Street Four-Point ApproachTM -- a proven downtown revitalization strategy created by the National Main Street Center. We found new economic uses for old buildings, led the year with festivals and events, initiated beautification projects, encouraged historic preservation, helped existing businesses thrive and new ones to open. We’re not in this alone. Community members roll up their sleeves and put their time, energy, and donations where their hearts are – downtown! HDR is a community-driven organization guided by volunteers who set our direction through our board of directors and lead initiatives through committees. Our volunteers are our advisors, project managers, champions, and workforce. Our partners help realize our vision for downtown by working collaboratively with us on initiatives and through their own projects. Together, we won the Great American Main Street Award, earning national recognition as a leader in downtown revitalization. Together, we keep downtown’s momentum going. There is more work to be done, and the best is yet to come! HDR is an accredited Main Street America™ program.

OUR VISION FOR DOWNTOWN

Downtown and HDR are at an important crossroads. After years of building partnerships, supporting key projects, coordinating efforts among business owners, and providing resources to help downtown stabilize and grow - we have experienced many benefits of the revitalization effort. Jobs have been created; commercial property values have increased; tax revenues have grown; historic buildings look vibrant; businesses are prospering; and people are moving here. Investment in downtown has reached an unprecedented level which shows solid belief in and commitment to our city center. In fact, the private sector is so heavily invested, some may believe the renaissance is done. But, there is still much work to do. As HDR looks forward, it sees new opportunities and important initiatives ahead:

With the coming of the Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center and a downtown park, coordinated efforts are critical to connect those visitors to businesses and amenities throughout the downtown
Retail in America is changing and requires a new data-driven approach to help businesses identify and attract new customers, strategically expand into new products and services, and sharpen their competitive edge. In late 2017, we worked with the city and county to commission a regional market analysis that will give us the data we need to adopt a coordinated economic development strategy and chart a practical path forward.
National trends show that customers are seeking more than transactions from businesses. They want to visit unique destinations, make connections with their community, and have distinct experiences. Shifts in business recruitment and business assistance programs are necessary for small downtown businesses to succeed.
The incredible diversity of Harrisonburg isn’t widely reflected in the faces and places of downtown. We need to explore if all community members feel welcome? Do products and services appeal to a wide customer base? Are there entrepreneurs from diverse communities who want to open businesses downtown? How can our organization become more diverse?

Our fundamental mission to support and enhance the downtown isn’t going to change. We just need to be more strategic, more inclusive, and more focused on economic development. We have many new opportunities ahead & we are going to figure out what’s next together.

MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO HDR TODAY:

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Our Team

Andrea Dono, Executive Director

Andrea has extensive experience in Main Street revitalization and community-based economic development. For 10 years, she worked for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Center where she helped lead and inspire a nationwide downtown revitalization movement. She specialized in researching and analyzing revitalization best practices and trends and providing technical assistance and resources to Main Street programs throughout the U.S.

Andrea previously served as the economic development coordinator for the City of Manassas, Virginia. She holds a B.A. from George Mason University and a Historic Preservation Certificate from Goucher College. She has been working toward a Master’s degree in urban planning with a focus on economic development.

As Executive Director, Andrea’s main responsibilities include partnership development, facilitating community collaborations, fundraising, working with local businesses, community outreach, volunteer engagement, and managing the day-to-day operations of the organization. Prospective downtown business owners, entrepreneurs, and property owners can connect with Andrea on site selection and assistance programs.

Email Andrea

Jennifer Bayes, Events & Special Projects Manager

Jennifer grew up in Harrisonburg and had the opportunity to watch Downtown Harrisonburg grow and evolve into what it is now. She holds a B.A. in Communications and Conflict from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. After living in Florida for 5 years, she made the decision to move back to Harrisonburg and is very glad she did!

As Events & Special Projects Manager, Jennifer is responsible for planning and executing HDR’s community events, as well as consulting with organizers hoping to plan their own events downtown. She also assists on grant programs, special projects, and initiatives central to HDR’s mission.

Email Jennifer

Emily Winter, Director of Marketing

Emily Winter is a double Duke, graduating from James Madison University with both a B.A. and M.A. in Communication Studies. With her previous role at JMU X-Labs, she partnered with several downtown businesses to develop and market engaging workshops and large-scale events.

As Director of Marketing, she is responsible for all promotions and public relations regarding HDR and its events as well as marketing support for the downtown businesses.

Email Emily

Grace Routhier, Development Manager

Grace holds a B.A. in Hospitality Tourism Management and International Studies from Purdue University and brings to the team over 10 years of diverse hospitality leadership experience. It only took volunteering at Winter Wonderfest with HDR, for Grace to know that being a part of a nonprofit with this meaningful mission of supporting downtown is exactly where she wanted to work.

In her role as Development Manager, Grace works closely with HDR’s partners and sponsors to help secure the support we need to execute HDR’s mission and vision with events and programs and focuses on fund development through community relationships and campaigns.

Email Grace