The Heart of the Friendly City
What My Internship at HDR Revealed About the People Who Make Downtown Harrisonburg Feel Like Home
When I decided to go to JMU almost four years ago today, I never imagined that such a small town could hold such a big community. Students often talk about the JMU spirit, but it can feel like its own bubble…classes, clubs, organizations, and everything happening on campus. The moment you step outside that bubble, you find something even larger waiting for you: the city of Harrisonburg, and at its heart, Downtown.
A Community you can Feel in the Air
Downtown Harrisonburg showed me a sense of community unlike anything I’d ever experienced. You see it in the way small business owners greet their regulars by name. You see it when shops partner with each other simply because they want their neighbors to succeed. You see it when festivals and concerts fill the streets with people who genuinely love being part of something together.
But the most powerful part is the love people have for this place. Downtown isn’t just a location, it’s part of Harrisonburg’s culture. It holds memories, stories, and a kind of pride that you can feel the moment you walk down the street.
During my internship with Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, I met people who have lived here for decades and love this city with their whole heart. Many of them came to JMU for school, but ended up staying because Harrisonburg became home. Over and over, I heard the same thing: once you come here, you never want to leave.
What You Don’t Always See From the Sidewalk
Walking downtown, you can feel the friendliness. But working with HDR gave me a view most people never get to see:
I saw people stop by the office just to say thank you.
I saw how many residents sign up to volunteer without hesitation.
I heard stories about how much Harrisonburg has grown over the past decade.
I learned the history behind buildings, the origins of businesses, and the favorite spots of locals who have been here forever.
I got to witness the behind‑the‑scenes moments that make this place special, the moments that don’t always make it into photos or social posts, but define the heart of the Friendly City.
Restaurant owners shared how Harrisonburg “felt like home” the moment they walked downtown.
Shop owners talked about customers who have watched their kids grow up.
Servers told me about regulars who have ordered the same thing for forty years.
Business owners spoke proudly about preserving the history in their spaces.
Longtime locals described how much downtown has grown, and how grateful they are for the work HDR has done to support that growth.
People I interviewed on the street told me they came here for school and stayed because they found their home.
And almost everyone said the same thing: you understand why it’s called the Friendly City the moment you spend time downtown.
These moments made me realize that a thriving downtown doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through relationships, trust, and a shared belief in what a community can be.
The People Who Make It All Happen
Every member of the HDR team carries a deep and evident passion for uplifting this city. They care about the work they do, but more importantly, they care about the people they do it for. Seeing their dedication up close was inspiring. And somewhere between event setups, afternoons spent visiting businesses, and the everyday rhythm of the office, I found myself growing in ways I didn’t expect.
This internship didn’t just teach me about community development; it taught me about community itself. About showing up. About listening. About caring deeply for the place you call home and seeing the direct impact of that on your community.
Carrying the Friendly City With Me
As my time with Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance comes to an end, I’m grateful for the experience, the lessons, and the people who shaped it. I’ll never walk through downtown the same way again. Now, when I see a new mural, a bustling event, or a small business opening its doors, I’ll think about the countless hands behind it all, and the deep- rooted love everyone in this community has for each other.
And I’ll feel proud knowing that, for a little while, mine were among them.
To anyone I had the privilege of interviewing, collaborating with, or even chatting with on the streets, if you’re reading this, I hope you know how much you shaped my experience. Every conversation, every story, every friendly face left an imprint that I’ll carry with me long after I leave Harrisonburg.
And to anyone who just got accepted to JMU, or anyone who hasn’t yet wandered through Downtown Harrisonburg, I hope these reflections captured even a fraction of what makes this place special. Now go step outside the bubble, explore, and get involved. The community you’ll find here is one you won’t forget.
Signing off for the last time feels bittersweet. I may be moving on and graduating, but my chapter with Harrisonburg will always stay with me.
All My Love Downtown HBURG,
Grace Erwin ‘26