The Gloucester Business Launch is bringing a lot of attention to Gloucester Court House, said Jenny Crittenden, executive director of the Main Street Preservation Trust.

After hearing so much about how Gloucester was selected for the business entrepreneurship program, several businesses who were not participants in the Business Launch indicated they plan to open shops on Main Street by early next year, Crittenden said. Those include a fine arts gallery, a wholesale baker, and an antique automobile and collectible business.

The Trust is overseeing the program with the Gloucester Main Street Association. Gloucester was one of three localities chosen for a new state economic development grant along with Staunton and Hopewell.

Eighteen out of 43 applicants were chosen to participate in an intensive business training program earlier this year, she said, and a number of those applicants have indicated plans to open new or expanded businesses on or near Main Street by the end of this year....