For more than 10 years, Fuquay-Varina Downtown has been encouraging economic development within the context of historic preservation in ways that are appropriate for today’s marketplace. We are seeking to rebuild our traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets, distinctive architecture, pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local ownership and a sense of community. Thankfully, with the strong financial support of local businesses, property owners, and the Town of Fuquay-Varina, we are making a significant difference in our historic downtowns. Below are just a few examples of how Fuquay-Varina Downtown is making a difference in our community.

• In 2012, launched En Plein Air Paint-Off event that supported local artists and added three public art canvases to our downtown landscape.
• In 2012, hosted the NC Main Street Managers Meeting
• In 2012, formed the Cultural Exploratory Committee to bring the community together for a town-wide visioning meeting for a cultural arts/conference center venue.
• In 2012, held quarterly downtown business meetings.
• In 2012, nominated Eric and Mary Christofferson as Fuquay-Varina's Main Street Champions
• In 2012, won State Award for Best Branding Campaign.
• In 2012, won State Award for Best Special Promotion.
• In 2012, created and installed Downtown Districts lamppost banners.
• In 2012, designed and produced downtown shopping and dining maps.
• In 2012, implemented Facade Grant Program in partnership with the town of Fuquay-Varina.
• In 2011, launched Movie Under the Stars event.
• In 2011, launched Downtown Bounty event.
• In 2011, nominated Ann Marie Amico as Fuquay-Varina's Main Street Champion
• In 2010, nominated Curtis Holleman as Fuquay-Varina's Main Street Champion
• In 2009, applied for and won Best Downtown Special Promotion on behalf of the Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association for the Hunt 100-Centennial Challenge.
• In 2009, worked with the NC Main Street program on our “third-year” assessment. Fuquay-Varina received a very favorable review after three years in the program.
• In 2009, the FVRA submitted Fuquay-Varina’s Main Street statistics. Communities with “statistics in good standing” are able to apply for NC Main Street Awards and apply for grant money available through the NC Main Street program.
• In 2009, nominated Mayor John Byrne as Fuquay-Varina’s Main Street Champion.
• In 2008, worked with the NC Main Street program on a 2 year assessment of downtown Fuquay-Varina strengths and opportunities. Fuquay-Varina is making progress in the NC Main Street program.
• In 2008, applied for and won the NC Main Street Award for the Best New Construction Project Award on behalf of Akins Property for the Varina Station Project.
• In 2008, nominated W.E. Medlin, Past FVRA Chairman, as Fuquay-Varina’s Main Street Champion.
• In 2007, the FVRA brought together more than 100 people, the largest cross-section of people in Fuquay-Varina’s history, for a Community Visioning Forum to create a 2012 vision for the historic downtown core.
• In 2007, asked 36 citizens to use disposable cameras to take photographs of design elements they liked and disliked in downtown to create “Picture Downtown.” These 300 photographs have guided many planning decisions about downtown.
• In 2007, the Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association began executing the 2007 NC Main Street Resource Team Report to improve our efforts in organization, economic restructuring, promotions and design.
• In 2007, applied for and won the NC Main Street Award for the Best New Outdoor Project Award on behalf of the Town of Fuquay-Varina and the Phase 1 Streetscape Project.
• In 2006, we applied for and received the coveted North Carolina Main Street Community Designation.