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Residents, businesses urge keeping Virginia Main Street; council refers program to Planning Commission
Summary
Business owners and volunteers urged the Percival Town Council to retain its Virginia Main Street collaboration and EDAC advisor; amid disagreement the council voted to prioritize a Planning Commission review with state and local Virginia Main Street stakeholders invited to present.
Dozens of residents and business owners used the public‑comment period on May 13 to press the council to preserve the town’s Virginia Main Street participation and the economic‑development advisor role.
Amanda Dayton, who identified herself as a Main Street volunteer and local business owner, told council members the Main Street program is largely volunteer‑driven and has saved the town matching grant costs: “We have volunteered approximately 140 hours to cover in‑kind donation for the recent grant application, saving the town approximately $5,000 of matching funds,” she said. Several speakers echoed that the program costs the town little and helps attract foot traffic and grant funding for downtown revitalization.
Opponents on council questioned whether the program duplicates staff and committee functions and whether the timing is right amid fiscal pressures. Councilmember Khalil said Percival should avoid creating silos and suggested the work of existing committees (EDAC, parks & rec, arts) be leveraged instead. Other council members and several business owners pushed back, saying Main Street volunteers already work with EDAC and that participation unlocks grant resources.
Rather than vote for immediate adoption or rejection, the council voted to direct the Planning Commission to treat the Main Street question as a priority task: the commission should convene stakeholders (including Virginia Main Street representatives at the state and local level) and report back with recommendations.
What’s next: Planning Commission will review Virginia Main Street participation and return findings to council. Councilmembers asked that stakeholders and state Main Street staff be included in the review and that the matter be completed on an expedited schedule.
