Pitch Competition Deadline Extended

Entrepreneurs, dreamers, and doers, the clock is still ticking—but you’ve got more time to make your pitch perfect! The Center Street Pitch Competition has extended its application deadline from March 19 to March 21, 2025, at 5 PM, giving aspiring business owners two extra days to apply for their shot at over $35,000 in prizes.

Hosted by the Dominion Energy Innovation Center (DEIC) and Downtown Ashland Association (DAA), the competition is set to take place on April 10, 2025, at the historic Ashland Theatre, offering entrepreneurs across industries the opportunity to present their business ideas and receive the funding, mentorship, and community support they need to succeed.

Why Apply?

This isn’t just a pitch—it’s a launchpad for local businesses. Entrepreneurs will compete for top prizes in three categories:

  • Center of the Universe Business (Ashland Main Street District): First place $10,000, second place $5,000, third place $2,500. The first-place winner also receives a complimentary Downtown Ashland Association membership.

  • Hanover and Beyond Business (Greater Richmond Region): First place $5,000, second place $2,500, third place $1,500. The first-place winner also receives a DEIC membership.

  • Agriculture & Forestry Business (Hanover County & Greater Richmond MSA): First place $5,000, second place $2,500, third place $1,500. The first-place winner also receives a DEIC membership.

Who Can Apply?

Don't hesitate to apply by Friday, March 21. The Center Street Pitch Competition IS for you!

  • You do not need to have an existing business—startups and new ideas are welcome!

  • Businesses located outside of Ashland can still qualify under the Hanover & Beyond or Agriculture & Forestry categories.

  • The competition is not limited to tech startups—retail, restaurants, creative ventures, and service-based businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.

Multiple prizes will be awarded, ensuring that even those who don’t win the top prize still have an opportunity to secure funding. The application process is straightforward, and resources are available to assist applicants in crafting a competitive pitch.

Get Pitch-Perfect with Free Resources

Entrepreneurs can supercharge their applications with free workshops and expert guidance available at AshlandVirginia.com/pitch, including:

Mark Your Calendar!

📅 Application Deadline: March 21, 2025, at 5 PM
📅 Pitch Competition: April 10, 2025, at Ashland Theatre (Doors open at 5:30 PM)

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by—apply today and take your business from idea to reality!

➡ Apply now at AshlandVirginia.com/pitch

About Downtown Ashland Association

Downtown Ashland Association is a community non-profit organization that works toward a strong and vibrant future for Ashland, Virginia. Through marketing initiatives, special events, business engagement, historic preservation, and more, Downtown Ashland Association contributes to the town’s vitality by deploying our time, funding, and voice on behalf of the community.

About Dominion Energy Innovation Center
The Dominion Energy Innovation Center supports high-tech entrepreneurs and small business owners who are driving the innovations needed to achieve a net-zero carbon economy.

Power Up with Expert Workshops

Are you an entrepreneur in Ashland, Virginia, or beyond, ready to take your business idea to the next level? The Center Street Pitch Competition is your opportunity to showcase your vision, gain valuable feedback, and compete for the chance to win resources that can transform your business. Applications are due by 5 PM on March 19, 2025, so don’t miss out!

To help you prepare, POWER UP Productions, in collaboration with the Downtown Ashland Association, has produced a series of expert-led workshops designed to strengthen your business strategy. These recorded sessions are available for streaming, giving you access to essential insights whenever and wherever you need them.

Stream Now: Business-Building Workshops

🔹 Business to Business Tools & Tactics

Presented by Amy Garelick of POWER UP Productions and Dorian Cunion of Your Path Coaching & Consulting, this session explores how small businesses can thrive in the B2B landscape and implement impactful marketing initiatives.

Watch Now

🔹 Search Engine Optimization & Analytics

Nickkol Lewis of Visual Appeal shares strategies for improving your business’s online visibility through SEO and analytics, helping you make informed decisions to drive growth.Watch Now

Watch Now

🔹 Establishing a Five-Year Business Plan

Dorian Cunion of Your Path Coaching & Consulting provides a roadmap to future-proof your business and optimize day-to-day management.

Watch Now

🔹 Commercial Real Estate for Small Business

Tiffany Elder, MBA of Paradigm Properties, discusses commercial real estate revitalization and how it benefits entrepreneurs, property owners, and local communities.

Watch Now

🔹 Value Proposition, Customer Data & Brand Strategy

Strengthen your business with strategies to define a compelling value proposition, leverage customer data, and build a strong brand.

Watch Now

🔹 Workforce Recruitment, Retention & Operations

Carol Reese of ReeSources shares essential strategies for attracting top talent, retaining employees, and streamlining business operations through effective SOPs

Watch Now

These workshops provide the tools you need to build a compelling pitch and a successful business. The Center Street Pitch Competition judges will be looking for depth of business understanding, existing market traction, and uniqueness of idea—so take advantage of these valuable insights!

Apply Today!

Entering is easy—just complete a few questions and submit your application before March 19 at 5 PM.

Ready to pitch your idea and power up your business? Apply today!

Supporting Ashland's Volunteer Rescue Squad: Join the Meal Train

The blaze in Ashland Volunteer Rescue Squad’s station on February 28 has been felt deeply throughout the community. The fire—caused by a battery system failure in an ambulance—damaged the squad’s home base, forcing volunteers to operate temporarily out of Hanover Fire Station 1. Thankfully, no one was injured, and emergency services in Ashland remain uninterrupted thanks to swift action from Hanover County Fire-EMS.

For the Downtown Ashland Association, this tragedy strikes especially close to home—literally. Their offices, located in the Dominion Energy Innovation Center, sit right next door to the Ashland Volunteer Rescue Squad. The squad has been an unwavering supporter of Ashland’s most beloved events, particularly Ashland Train Day, where they provide first responder services, showcase their ladder truck for Touch-a-Truck, and offer space for the Richmond LEGO® Users Group. As the Richmond LEGO® Users Group moves to NextHome Advantage at 202 England St. and volunteers work to secure more trucks for Touch-a-Truck on April 26, it’s clear that the squad’s presence is deeply woven into the fabric of the community.

“Ashland's brave Volunteer Rescue Squad always answers our community’s call—now it’s time for us to rally behind them,” says Downtown Ashland Association Executive Director "Coach" Antonio Miller.

Downtown Ashland Association has launched a Meal Train to provide meals and donations to support the squad as they transition to their temporary location. Meal drop-offs are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays to ensure volunteers receive consistent support without overwhelming them with generosity.

“As a community, we take care of each other,” says Downtown Ashland Association Director of Operations Lou Keeton. “I’ve seen meals made by Ashlanders go miles, so we’ll limit the number of meals donated until and if the Volunteer Rescue Squad asks for more.”

For those who prefer to give in other ways, gift cards and monetary donations allow the squad to purchase meals and supplies when needed. Shopping locally for meal donations also strengthens Ashland’s businesses, keeping every dollar spent within the community.

The Ashland Volunteer Rescue Squad has always answered the call—providing first responder services, supporting community events like Ashland Train Day, and being a steadfast presence in times of crisis. Now, it’s time for Ashland to rally behind them.

To sign up for the Meal Train or make a donation, visit [insert link]. Every meal, every dollar, and every act of kindness helps bring our first responders a little closer to home.

Ashland Train Day Returns for 21st Year

Ashland Train Day returns for its 21st year in historic downtown Ashland on April 26, 2025, thanks to Amtrak and CSX. From 11 AM to 4 PM, the town known as the Center of the Universe will transform into a railfan’s paradise, where locomotive history meets small-town charm for a day packed with interactive experiences, family fun, and a deep appreciation for the iron rails that built Ashland.

“Ashland Train Day is our tribute to the trains that built downtown,” says “Coach” Antonio Miller, Executive Director of Downtown Ashland Association. With over 12 fully loaded CSX freight trains and Amtrak passenger trains rolling through town during the event, Ashland Train Day is an immersive festival known around the world.

2025 Ashland Train Day Map

From real trains to model trains, the entire town transforms into a railway wonderland! Blue Ridge Live Steamers and Titan Trains will roll into the Hanover Arts and Activities Center with a steam engine, diesel engine, and two cars ready for interactive exploration. Enthusiasts will marvel at model train displays of all sizes, vintage railroad equipment, and a classic red caboose, while little conductors climb aboard the Kiddie Train Ride, sponsored by Your Path Counseling Center, for a delightful tour of the festivities. Over at the Firetruck Experience, courtesy of PlayRVA, guests can hop in, explore, and even ride along! Excitement continues with RCI Builders’ Touch-a-Truck showcase, featuring fire trucks, ambulances, dump trucks, and tractors for hands-on discovery. In the Kid Zone, sponsored by New Community Church, children can bounce, race, play games, visit family-friendly vendors like MacaroniKid, and get their faces painted in a high-energy hub of fun. Adventurers can take a spooky turn with the Ashland Haunted History Tours or enjoy railroad-themed stories and tunes with Matthew Dodd at the Ashland Branch Library. For those with a keen eye, the Picture Scavenger Hunt leads guests through downtown’s most picturesque spots—connect three stops and claim a prize from Tiny Tim’s Toys and Trains at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center.

No festival is complete without great music and delicious eats! Center Street Sound Company’s Party in the Pavilion will keep spirits high with family-friendly music all day long, featuring the Hanover Concert Band at 11 AM, followed by Free Jambalaya and Friends at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. Hungry festival-goers can grab a bite from 15 food trucks offering everything from classic festival favorites to Caribbean cuisine, while downtown’s locally owned shops and restaurants open their doors with handcrafted goods and farm-to-fork dining. Over 60 local artists will line the sidewalks with handcrafted jewelry, woodcrafts, crochet, soaps, and more.

A festival of this scale takes more than tracks and timetables—it requires a dedicated crew. More than 100 volunteers and first responders keep Ashland Train Day running smoothly, fueled by the generosity of local businesses. Minuteman Press of Ashland is providing volunteers with commemorative Train Day t-shirts, while beloved local eateries—including Homemades by Suzanne, Monique’s Crepes, Strawberry Street Catering, Alice Auntie Alice’s Kettle Corn, and Fun Stuff 4 Kids—are serving up complimentary meals. Wawa is stepping up as the Volunteer and First Responder Signature Sponsor, catering breakfast and lunch inside the Dominion Energy Innovation Center to show appreciation for their service while Wally Goose tours around town.

For those who prefer their engines with wheels instead of rails, RCI Builders’ Touch-a-Truck attraction is back, giving guests the chance to explore fire trucks, ambulances, bucket trucks, and more. PlayRVA is taking the experience a step further by offering rides in a firetruck, letting visitors feel the thrill of the road. “This gives kids a hands-on experience inside the trucks, letting them feel what it’s like on the road!” says PlayRVA owner Taylor Pace. “It’s a rare and unique opportunity only we offer.”

Raffle - 2 Amtrak Tickets Raffle - 2 Amtrak Tickets
Raffle - 2 Amtrak Tickets
$10.00

The festival is made possible by the unwavering support of its signature sponsors, including CSX Transportation and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA). CSX’s Community Service Grant helps bring this beloved event to life, while VPRA celebrates Ashland’s railroad history while looking to the future. “The railroad is such a big part of Ashland. The tracks literally run right through the Center of the Universe,” says DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA. “Our sponsorship is the perfect opportunity to promote Amtrak Virginia service because, as the railroad is a huge part of Ashland’s history, we are committed to being a vital part of its future.”

The connection runs even deeper—last summer, Amtrak Virginia introduced Brewski, a locally crafted beer from Ashland’s own Center of the Universe Brewing Company, to its café car menu. This addition supports Virginia’s initiative to boost local businesses while enhancing the passenger experience. Festival-goers can also try their luck in an exclusive Amtrak raffle, with the chance to win two tickets to any destination along the East Coast. With a year to redeem and endless travel possibilities, the winner’s next adventure could start right here in Ashland. Proceeds from the raffle will support the Downtown Ashland Association’s nonprofit mission.

For those eager to commemorate the day, Minuteman Press of Ashland has made sure that guests can easily find their way through festivities with maps, scavenger hunt cards, and exclusive 2025 Ashland Train Day apparel. Limited-edition tees, hoodies, trucker hats, and more are available now online, with a limited supply available in-person at Downtown Ashland Association’s information tent.

“Ashland is proud to host Train Day and welcome visitors from across our region and around the world to celebrate with us,” says Ashland Mayor Steve Trivett. “Come see why we consider Ashland the Center of the Universe!” Visitors can catch a shuttle to the event or, for the full railfan experience, arrive by Amtrak, where children’s tickets are half-price, and special onboard activities add to the festivities. Don’t forget to stop by the café car to toast the occasion with a Brewski from Center of the Universe Brewing Company.

Mark your calendar and gather your crew for Ashland Train Day on April 26, 2025, from 11 AM - 4 PM! For event details, volunteer opportunities, and more, visit AshlandTrainDay.com.

VPRA Celebrates Trains

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is pleased to celebrate Ashland Train Day by bringing passengers to the “Center of the Universe” on board our daily Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service.  With departures south to Richmond, Williamsburg, Newport News, and Norfolk and north to Alexandria, Washington, DC, and points further north including Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City, traveling on board Amtrak Virginia is the easiest way to visit Ashland. 

The number of Amtrak Virginia passengers choosing Ashland has grown recently with 38,689 boarding or alighting in historic downtown Ashland last year.  That was up from 33,785 in 2023, and through the efforts of VPRA and our partners, we are working to ensure that number continues to grow.    

“The railroad is such a big part of Ashland.  The tracks literally run right through the Center of the Universe,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority.  “The VPRA team looks forward to participating in Ashland Train Day, and our sponsorship is the perfect opportunity to promote our Amtrak Virginia service because as the railroad is a huge part of Ashland’s history, we are committed to being a vital part of its future.”

Who is VPRA?

In 2020 the Virginia General Assembly, seeking a meaningful solution to the state’s ever-growing traffic problem, created the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority and tasked it with managing and expanding the state’s Amtrak Virginia service as well as implementing the Commonwealth’s $5 billion Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) initiative.  TRV is changing the future of rail transportation in Virginia by acquiring railroad right-of-way, increasing rail capacity, and reworking passenger and freight operations to improve reliability and increase rail service in Virginia.  The long-term goal is to separate freight and passenger rail services to improve the on-time performance of both.  Work has already begun on TRV, and once Phase 2 projects are complete, VPRA will fund a total of 13 daily Amtrak Virginia roundtrips, up from the current eight, along four corridors between Washington, DC and Roanoke, Newport News, Norfolk, and Richmond, with some trains making stops in Ashland.

Amtrak Virginia Service

Our state-supported Amtrak Virginia service travels through the Commonwealth and offers a one-seat ride from Ashland through to Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.  Last year 1.389 million passengers traveled on Amtrak Virginia, an increase of 4.8% over 2023 and setting a record for ridership on the service.

To provide the best experience for passengers on board, VPRA works closely with Amtrak as operator of our state-supported service.  As a part of that, VPRA recently partnered with the Amtrak Food & Beverage Working Group (FBWG) to offer Virginia products in our café cars. The FBWG called upon Amtrak to establish a formal process for states to sell locally-sourced products on their respective state-supported routes, and Virginia was selected as a pilot state.  

As a result, last summer we began offering a local craft beer – Brewski -- for sale in the café cars of our Amtrak Virginia trains.  Brewski is a product of the Center of the Universe Brewing Company located in the heart of historic Ashland next to the railroad tracks.  The addition of Brewski to the menu aids Virginia in meeting the FBWG goals to cultivate partnerships with local producers, boost the local food and beverage industry, and improve the overall customer experience on trains.  So, the next time you’re on board, support an Ashland-based small business and order a Brewski!

Long Bridge

In addition to Amtrak Virginia, the team at VPRA is also working hard on its Transforming Rail initiative.  The largest of TRV’s projects, Long Bridge is a new two-track railroad bridge across the Potomac River that will connect Arlington, Virginia with Washington, DC allowing for the expansion of rail service in the state to meet future demand.  The new 2-track Long Bridge will be built next to the current 2-track Long Bridge, a 119-year old river crossing that currently operates at 98% capacity during peak periods.  The existing Long Bridge will remain and will be dedicated solely to freight rail.  

The new Long Bridge, which VPRA is funding and building, will be strategically placed between the existing Long Bridge and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Yellow Line bridge and will relieve one of the worst rail traffic bottlenecks on the East Coast.  The project encompasses approximately 1.8 miles of improvements including seven rail bridges and pedestrian bridges over land, the Potomac River, and related railroad infrastructure and will be dedicated solely to passenger rail.

TRV’s portfolio of projects in Northern Virginia includes additional tracks, sidings, rail bridges, and a bypass structure.  The plans are ambitious but necessary. The planned passenger rail improvements will extend along the corridor from L’Enfant just outside of Washington Union Station, across the Potomac River, and south to Spotsylvania County and will allow VPRA to expand rail service in the state.  

VPRA has made great strides in developing a state-supported passenger rail service that works for Virginians.  It will take cars off our roads, protect our environment, and provide an option for those who cannot drive due to accessibility issues.  Through our current Amtrak Virginia service and our TRV expansion projects, rail will soon be top-of-mind for those traveling to and through the Commonwealth.  

Raffle - 2 Amtrak Tickets Raffle - 2 Amtrak Tickets
Raffle - 2 Amtrak Tickets
$10.00

Enter our raffle for your chance to win TWO Amtrak tickets to anywhere along the East Coast! Whether you're dreaming of a scenic getaway, a city escape, or a coastal retreat, crack open a can of Center of the Universe Brewski and climb on board! Your ticket to ride is just a lucky draw away.

🎟 Your golden ticket includes:
🚆 Two Amtrak tickets valid for any East Coast destination
🍻 $25 Center of the Universe Brewing Company Gift Card
🧢 5 Brewski Hats
📅 Redeemable for up to one year from the issue date
⚠️ Some blackout dates apply (mostly federal holidays)

Don’t miss your chance to embark on the journey of a lifetime—grab your raffle tickets now before this opportunity leaves the station! 🚉💨

Raffle proceeds benefit Downtown Ashland Association’s non-profit mission.

The winner will receive an email from Downtown Ashland Association on Friday, April 25.