Established in 1989, Main Street Radford strives to unify, strnnghten and promote Radford's commercial business district. Preservation and strengthening of heritage and character are a paramount focus of the non-profit organization, as downtown Radford received both Federal and State historic district status in 2002. The objective of the Main Street program is to create a strong heart that becomes the pulse of the city, interconnecting the downtown with the city's cultural and recreational opportunities.

Main Street Radford operates using four main principles as an approach to revitalizing downtown: design, promotion, organization, and economic restructuring.