City of Virginia Beach Development Authority Façade Improvement Grants

The Façade Improvement Grants (FIG) program, administered by the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development, is a matching grant initiative aimed at supporting small, locally-owned, and operated businesses within the city limits. This program is part of the city’s broader economic development efforts to revitalize commercial and industrial-zoned areas through visible enhancements to business exteriors. The Virginia Beach Development Authority (VBDA) oversees this initiative to ensure it aligns with the city’s strategic goals of promoting economic vitality, improving urban aesthetics, and supporting community-oriented business growth. FIG provides reimbursement-based grants for exterior improvements to eligible businesses. The program operates on a competitive, first-come, first-served basis with no fixed submission deadline, continuing until the fiscal year's funding is depleted. Eligible applicants include small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, nonprofit entities, and property owners who lease to such businesses, provided they are current on all city licenses, fees, and taxes. Chain businesses with more than three locations, franchises, residential buildings, and places of worship, among others, are not eligible to apply. The grant awards between $1,000 and $10,000 in matching funds for qualified improvements. To qualify, applicants must propose enhancements such as new or upgraded façades, fencing, signage, landscaping, outdoor café spaces, or parking upgrades. Projects must be visually impactful and consistent with zoning requirements. Routine maintenance or non-visible improvements, such as HVAC repairs or roof replacements, are not eligible. All applications must include detailed plans, cost estimates from licensed contractors, and photographic documentation. If the applicant is a tenant, a signed authorization letter from the property owner must also be submitted. Applications are assessed based on completeness, eligibility of the business and improvements, and whether the applicant is a woman-, minority-, or veteran-owned business. A Grant Review Committee comprising representatives from city departments and councils evaluates submissions and makes recommendations to the VBDA for approval. Grant funds are only disbursed upon completion and inspection of the improvements to ensure they align with the original application. Only one grant per business or property owner is allowed per fiscal year, and all work must be completed within six months of award, with a possible two-month administrative extension. Informational workshops are available to guide prospective applicants, including in-person and virtual sessions held at The HIVE, the city’s small business support hub. Interested applicants can contact Eric Severn at [email protected] or 757-385-2907 for guidance and digital workshop access. By incentivizing visual enhancements to business properties, the FIG program encourages community investment and economic activity while elevating the aesthetic character of Virginia Beach's commercial and industrial zones. This initiative serves as a model for how local governments can proactively support small business development and neighborhood revitalization.

Early applications recommended due to first-come, first-served basis; ensure submitted improvements match plans to avoid funding denial.