City of Virginia Beach Development Authority Announces Return of Façade Improvement Grants

January 16, 2024

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Jan. 16, 2024) – The City of Virginia Beach Development Authority (VBDA) is pleased to announce the return of the Façade Improvement Grant (FIG) program.

For three years in a row, this popular program has provided financial assistance to businesses and property owners seeking to enhance the attractiveness of their properties. The results speak volumes. Since the program’s inception, VBDA has awarded $273,680 in grants to 39 small businesses, who in turn have invested $1.4 million in properties throughout the City.

The program, which is administered by the Department of Economic Development, provides matching grants of up to $10,000 to eligible businesses and property owners who are looking to make improvements to the exterior of their buildings or properties. These improvements can include paint, fencing, parking upgrades, signage, accent or security lighting, and other enhancements that will help to improve the overall appearance and attractiveness of a property.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this program for a fourth year,” said Lisa Murphy, chair of the VBDA. “The response to the program has been overwhelmingly positive and has resulted in a noticeable enhancement of the attractiveness and marketability of our commercial and industrial corridors. We encourage all eligible businesses and property owners to take advantage of this opportunity, which will enable them to enhance the appearance of their buildings and properties in a manner that contributes to the overall vitality of our City.”

The program is available for new exterior improvements made by businesses and property owners, who meet the following criteria:

Businesses must be new or existing small businesses licensed in Virginia Beach with fewer than 50 employees;
Businesses and property owners must be current on all taxes and fees owed to the City; and
Properties must be zoned for commercial or industrial uses.

The application portal and guidelines for the FIG program can be found at www.yesvirginiabeach.com/fig. Grants will be awarded to eligible applicants on a competitive, first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be scored based on the evaluation criteria, posted online. The exterior improvement project must be completed within six months of receipt of the grant and must not have commenced prior to submission of the application.

The mission of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development is to drive economic vitality and inclusive prosperity in the city by fostering the attraction and creation of new investment, innovation, and jobs. www.yesvirginiabeach.com.