The Greater Leesburg Community Redevelopment Agency approved a one‑time allocation of $15,100 on Sept. 22 to the Downtown Leesburg Business Association (DLBA) to support restarting downtown business association activities, marketing and small events.

DLBA representatives said the organization has 24 current members as it rebuilds after the partnership that previously supported downtown activities dissolved. The DLBA asked for a single, nonrecurring payment to help revamp its website, produce and sell a downtown map, support the downtown market, and run an AM 1690 informational station that broadcasts downtown news and event information. The applicant estimated the billboard they had previously used cost about $6,000 per year and suggested the radio service could be maintained for approximately $2,000 per year.

"We're only asking for it for one time to help the DLBA get started," the presenter said during the meeting.

Staff told the commission there were sufficient CRA funds available to cover the request. "There's easily 15,000 available. We left the budget with 518,000 left in fiscal year 26 revenues plus a reserve of about $1.19," a staff member said during the discussion.

Commissioners discussed coordination with the chamber of commerce and existing events; DLBA representatives said they are coordinating with the chamber and other downtown partners and plan to require membership dues in the future (proposed $100 annual dues beginning next year). The commission moved and approved a one‑time grant from the Greater Leesburg CRA; roll call votes during the adoption of the budget package incorporated the allocation.

Why it matters: the one‑time seed grant is intended to help reestablish a downtown business association to support marketing, events and merchant outreach in downtown Leesburg.

Selected clarifying details and conditions: the allocation is nonrecurring; staff required the DLBA to provide a plan for use of funds and to coordinate with city staff on deliverables before finalizing the grant agreement.

Source excerpts from the meeting transcript are available for the DLBA presentation and the roll‑call approval.