Center Street Intern Program

WANTED: Randolph-Macon College Student Interns

Downtown Ashland Association and Dominion Energy Innovation Center jointly sponsor the Center Street Intern Program for students at Randolph-Macon College to learn from entrepreneurs in our local economy.

Job Description

The Dominion Energy Innovation Center (DEIC) and Downtown Ashland Association are seeking two Bassett Internship Program interns for the summer of 2021 to serve as economic researchers, community liaisons, and entrepreneur supporters. 

The Center Street Internship Program was specially designed for R-MC students to explore the green economy and work within the community to support both local small businesses and high tech clean energy companies.

Within this summer academic internship program, participants will perform some, or all, of the following activities over a nine week period from June 1, 2021 to July 30, 2021 (dates are flexible with academic advisor approval):

• Design and execute a regional green economy business activity survey

• Survey local businesses for economic data

• Meet with local business owners and community leaders to learn more about entrepreneurship efforts in Central Virginia

• Write articles about local businesses and leaders to be published via blog, newsletter, and social media

• Photograph downtown Ashland architecture, shops, and restaurants

• Compile program impact data for annual reports

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R-MC Students are encouraged to apply now for Summer 2021 via the EDGE Career Connector.

We are also recruiting Fall 2021 interns. Please email braden@dominnovation.com to plan for the Fall.

Ashland Train Day Rescheduled to Spring 2022

Downtown Ashland Association announces the next Ashland Train Day will be held on April 30, 2022. The beloved street festival and celebration of trains will become a spring event, to be hosted the last weekend in April annually.

“We look forward to continuing Ashland Train Day’s long history of family-friendly fun in Downtown Ashland,” said Executive Director Maggie Longest. “By moving the event away from the busy holiday season and into the spring, we hope even more families and train lovers will come to Ashland and enjoy the festival.”

In 2019, the 17th annual celebration of Ashland’s love for trains drew more than 10,000 participants. The celebration included 17 model train displays, two kiddie train rides, a touch-a-truck area, arts and crafts, local foods, and live music.

Mark your calendar for the 18th Ashland Train Day on April 30, 2022! Event updates for railfans of all ages will be published on the website, ashlandvirginia.com, and social media channels, Facebook and Instagram.

JOIN THE FUN!

• Volunteers are needed to help with event planning. Please visit ashlandvirginia.com/volunteer.

• Sponsor Ashland Train Day to support a vibrant Downtown Ashland. Business sponsors benefit from high-profile media coverage before and during the event with thousands of visitors, residents, and community leaders. Learn more at ashlandvirginia.com/giving.

Volunteer Spotlight: John Working

John Working began volunteering with Downtown Ashland Association in 2019 to help promote the local business community, and he currently serves as Vice President.

John Working, J.D.

Working is the co-owner and a founding partner of Railside Law Group. His practice focuses on criminal and traffic defense, family law, and estate planning. Together with partner Virginia Podboy, The Railside Law Group operates as a general practice at 307B England Street.

John Working explained the partners’ choice to locate in Downtown Ashland, saying, “There is a real sense of community among Ashland business owners. People rally around each other and the community values supporting local business.”

John Working is a 2001 graduate of Randolph-Macon College.  He earned an English major and Education minor. Working says, “I was grateful to not only receive an education from the College, but also make meaningful connections with professors and coaches.” After graduation, Working spent seven years teaching English and coaching football at Varina High School and Mechanicsville High School.

John Working and his wife Jessica Robertson Working are both entrepreneurs in Downtown Ashland.

During his time in the public school system, Working was inspired to advocate for youth and the less fortunate, and he became interested in the legal field. He attended the University of Richmond’s T.C. Williams School of Law. Now an attorney, Working volunteers with the Hanover County Drug Court defending youth who are criminally charged and are at-risk of developing substance dependency. The Drug Court helps divert youth away from the criminal justice system, while helping them develop tools to build better futures.

Downtown Ashland Association is fortunate to have John Working’s leadership as an advocate and business owner in our community.

Ashland Fourth Fridays 2021

Friday, April 23 from 5-7pm Ashland Fourth Fridays will launch its 2021 Season celebrating arts and culture in Downtown Ashland. Stroll the streets for sidewalk sales, art exhibits, live music, and outdoor dining!

Now in its second year, this event is an opportunity for local artisans to showcase their work. Downtown Ashland enjoys a vibrant community of jewelers, painters, designers, entertainers, chefs, farmers, and musicians—just to name a few!

“Our goal is to support local creatives, while bringing attention to what Downtown Ashland already has to offer. We hope to provide a place for artists to regularly share their work and reach new supporters,” says Kitty Barnes the event organizer and co-owner of RED VEIN Escape.

Stay updated on the latest plans for each month’s event by following Ashland Fourth Fridays at the links below:

Untold Stories: A Retrospective

“Untold Stories: Growing up in Ashland/Hanover — Black & White Experiences” is a powerful annual event hosted by Downtown Ashland Association and our non-profit partners. Local residents share personal memories of life in our segregated southern community during the 40s, 50s, and 60s. The stories are often powerful, emotional and inspiring.

While we couldn't hold our Untold Stories forum this year in-person, we are proudly sharing the video retrospective of our past seven programs. We are deeply grateful to the volunteer storytellers and organizers for sharing these stories with our community.