What We’re Working On

HDR works throughout the year to make Downtown Harrisonburg a thriving destination for visitors and a supportive environment for our local business community. We believe that the work never truly stops; there are always ways we can make our downtown even better.

We never work on one project. Our team has a variety of simultaneous projects and initiatives in the works. By following the Main Street Four Point Approach™ and collaborating with our partners and volunteers, the HDR team continually works on downtown promotions, events, small business assistance, beautification, grants, and special projects. Learn more about them below.

Downtown Promotions

HDR collaborates with the local business community to attract customers and tourists to downtown throughout the year. From dog ambassador campaigns, dining and shopping guides, and event roundups on social media, promotions help us showcase Downtown Harrisonburg as a destination.

  • Facebook, Instagram, Newsletter

  • Blog

  • Events Calendar

  • Downtown Directory

  • Taste of Downtown Dining Guide

  • Hburg Hounds

  • Holiday Shopping Guide

  • Love that Downtown Built Campaign

  • Taste of Downtown Month

  • Small Business Saturday

  • Intern Takeovers

Events

HDR produces free community festivals and events throughout the year, along with fundraising events that support our nonprofit's mission.

  • Levitt AMP Harrisonburg Music Series

  • JMU Block Party in the ‘Burg

  • Skeleton Festival

  • Veterans Day Parade

  • Winter Wonderfest

  • Cookie Tour Fundraiser

  • Harrisonburg Meet Ups

  • Downtown Happy Hour Fundraiser

  • Best.Weekend.Ever.

  • Woodworking workshops

There is always something happening downtown. We also compile a wide variety of other free and ticketed events happening throughout downtown on our Events Calendar.

Small Business Assistance & Grants

HDR advocates for small business owners. We offer small business assistance training and educational opportunities, marketing assistance, district-wide marketing campaigns, provide regular communications to keep business owners in the loop, host quarterly meetings, and manage the district-wide Downtown Dollars gift certificate program. We meet with entrepreneurs to match them with commercial space and help them get plugged into downtown opportunities after they open.

We are proud to invest directly into our small businesses through the following programs:

  • Bricks & Clicks Small Business Grants (will need to link out)

  • Composting Grants (will need to link out)

  • Free architectural and design services from our Design Committee volunteers and Virginia Main Street

Fundraising

Our nonprofit raises funds from a variety of sources to further our mission, utilizing the events and initiatives listed above. From storytelling campaigns to an exciting summer raffle, we engage the community and encourage everyone to get involved by giving back to downtown.

  • Friendly City Fortune Mega Raffle Fundraiser

  • Back the ‘Burg

  • Great Community Give

  • Friends of Downtown/Business Friends of Downtown

Design & Beautification

With the help of community-minded partners, HDR is leading the charge in creating a sense of place downtown. We want an attractive, bikeable, and walkable downtown that has public art and moments of discovery. We are also fervent advocates for historic preservation and adaptive reuse of our historic buildings.

  • Park Projects

  • Banner Project

  • Northend Gateway Sculpture

  • Traffic Cabinet Project

  • Downtown Ducklings

  • Miniatures