Herndon Joins State Effort To Strengthen Historic Downtown

HERNDON, VA — Herndon has been accepted into Virginia's Exploring Main Street program, giving the town access to training and other resources to support downtown businesses and revitalization efforts.

The Town Council voted to apply on Oct. 27, and Virginia Main Street Program Manager Courtney Mailey confirmed the town's acceptance on Oct. 30.

The program offers technical assistance and organizational development resources to help communities coordinate downtown events, business support and economic growth.

"With a strong small business community, a unique sense of identity, and passionate residents, Herndon already has many of the ingredients we need for a successful downtown," said Collin Okoniewski, acting deputy town manager and economic development manager. "Main Street provides a framework to bring those strengths together in a more coordinated and sustainable way to build the partnerships, organizational capacity, and shared ownership necessary to support Downtown Herndon's success over the long term."

Exploring Main Street is an introductory tier of Virginia Main Street, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Participation does not establish a local Main Street organization or commit the town to future funding or a higher program tier.

Okoniewski said the program would connect Herndon's small businesses and residents while building partnerships to support downtown long term.

The town plans to work with businesses, property owners and residents to establish shared priorities. The effort aligns with the Herndon 2050 Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Early Action Plan.

Herndon will work with local businesses, property owners and residents to set priorities for downtown events, business support and economic growth.