Does Your Business Need a Makeover?

For the past four years, the Virginia Beach Development Authority’s (VBDA) Façade Improvement Grant (FIG) program has awarded $390,223 in financial assistance to 54 small businesses for the improvement of their property. In return, these businesses have invested $1.8 million in properties throughout the city.

Administered by the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development, the program provides matching grants of up to $10,000 to eligible businesses and property owners looking to make exterior improvements to their buildings. These improvements can include fencing, doors, awnings, highly visible windows, signage, landscaping, accent or security lighting, and other enhancements that will help to improve the appearance and attractiveness of the property.

New for this year is that nonprofits can also participate and apply. 

All eligible businesses and property owners are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, which will enable them to enhance the appearance of their buildings in a manner that contributes to the overall revitalization of the city.

Who is eligible?

• New or existing small businesses with less than 50 employees
• Nonprofit entities and organizations
• Properties and applicants that are current on all City of Virginia Beach licenses, taxes and fees
• Businesses located on any commercially or industrially zoned properties

Grants will be awarded on a competitive, first-come, first-served basis and scored based on the evaluation criteria. Applications will be ranked and evaluated based on the improvements that make the most demonstrable impact. The exterior improvement project must be completed within six months of receiving the grant and must not have already occurred at the time of the application.

For more details and to apply, visit www.yesvirginiabeach.com/fig.