Accomplishments
*STAR*, working with the Town of Stanardsville, has applied for and received $3.1 million in grants awarded over the past 15 years to support revitalization projects in Stanardsville, and has raised more than $500,000 in local match funds. The grants fall into three categories: Streetscape Enhancement, Downtown Revitalization, and Community Development. A summary description of those projects and a list of the 28 grants received to date can be found here: STAR grant awards
Visual images best illustrate what these grant projects have accomplished. A portfolio of before and after photos can be found here:STAR Grant Projects_2009-2019_Final(2)
Current Projects
Community Business Launch
*STAR* was awarded a Community Business Launch (CBL) grant from the Department of Housing and Community Development on September 5, 2023.
The $60,000 grant will be used to attract entrepreneurs to open a business in one of the vacant properties on Main Street. The CBL program will train these entrepreneurs on business planning practices, culminating in a group of finalists pitching their ideas to a panel of judges with the top two winners receiving grant funding of $20,000 each and the next two $10,000 each, plus support services from the community to kick-start their new venture.
The CBL project will also provide mentorship and business retention services to graduates of the program regardless of their status as pitch winners. A portion of the grant funds will also be used post-award for targeted marketing strategies once the businesses are open. Finally, the four award recipients will receive rent reduction through the local cash match and property owners’ reduction in rent.
The Charlottesville Investment Cooperative and SBDC are partners in this project and will provide 10-week training programs and organize the pitch competition. Greene County EDA, Tourism Council, Stanardsville Town Council, and property owners will contribute to raising the required $47,000 match. Alan Yost, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, will take the lead in marketing recruitment of entrepreneurs and in the day-to-day management of the project.
Past Projects
Downtown Revitalization Project
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development in 2017 awarded the Town a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) totaling nearly $1 million for Downtown Revitalization projects. The project was completed in 2021.
The grant funds were used for:
* Construction of a Farmers Market Pavilion & Performance Stage behind the County Administration building, known as Greene Commons:
* Facade improvements to historic buildings on Main Street. For example, the two buildings at corner of Main St. and Celt Rd and across the street:
* Upgrades to several apartments for low- to moderate-income families on Ford Avenue.
* Restoration of the William Mills House on the hill behind the library. These before and after pictures show the dramatic improvements made to the historic house:
*STAR* was the official Project Manager to implement the Downtown Revitalization grant.
Streetscape Enhancement Project
Phase II of the Stanardsville Streetscape Enhancement project was funded in part by three grants awarded by VDOT under the MAP-21 Transportation Alternatives Program. The grants total $1,245,119.
*STAR* facilitated implementation of the Phase II streetscape project. The Town contracted with the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission to serve as Project Manager and Draper Aden Associates to provide engineering services. Both entities had the same roles for the Phase I streetscape improvements.
Phase II extended the new sidewalk network in town on the north side of Main Street, to the west from Celt Road to the shopping center and to the east from Rectory Lane to the pharmacy. The project included 21 colonial-style street lights and a pedestrian bridge across Mitchell Creek on the east side of town. The required local match of $311,280 has been fulfilled thanks to generous contributions from the County EDA, the Town of Stanardsville, local businesses, foundations and individuals, and significant matching grant awards from the Perry Foundation. Because of increased construction costs, an additional $201,000 was needed, funded by ARPA funds from the county and the town.
Phase I of the Streetscape Enhancement Project was completed in 2013. That VDOT-funded grant project has made the town more attractive and safer for pedestrians by replacing broken sidewalks, building safety crosswalks, and installing street lights, landscaped bump-outs, trees and other planting areas.
“Restoring its Vitality . . . Retaining its Charm . . . Helping its People”