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Development Authority approves nine façade grants totaling $45,211 to small businesses
Summary
The VBDA approved nine Facade Improvement Grant awards across multiple districts to support signage, lighting, parking and exterior repairs; one commissioner abstained on an item tied to a client relationship.
The Virginia Beach Development Authority approved nine Facade Improvement Grant awards on March 11 amounting to $45,211 to support exterior repairs, signage, lighting and parking improvements for small, local businesses across several city districts.
Rose Dahl Granberry presented the program background and reviewed 14 applications received since the January launch. She said the program provides matching grants to locally owned small businesses in commercial or industrial zones; awards run from $1,000 to $10,000 and recipients have six months to complete work after receiving funds.
Staff recommended nine awards (total requested $45,211) and estimated the projects would leverage about $95,440 in private investment, leaving an estimated program balance of about $64,556 after the awards. The recommended awards and grant amounts were:
- Beach Bullock (601 19th St.) — grant $7,500 (estimated investment $15,000) - GMT Suites and More (5660 Indian River Rd.) — grant $2,185 (estimated investment $4,370) - Vintage Cauldron (3920 Virginia Beach Blvd.) — grant $3,307 (estimated investment $6,613) - Rockefellers (308 Mediterranean Ave.) — grant $10,000 (estimated investment $20,000) - Connell Longboards (1704 Atlantic Ave.) — grant $2,593 (estimated investment $5,187) - Robin Consultants (2840 South Moonhaven Rd.) — grant $10,000 (estimated investment $25,000) - Driveway Motors (5176 Virginia Beach Blvd.) — grant $5,500 (estimated investment $11,000) - Badass Coffee / Emery McAfee (619 18th St.) — grant $3,250 (estimated investment $6,500) - MNPN Ladies Boutique (3972 Holland Rd.) — grant $886 (estimated investment $1,773)
The authority moved to approve the recommended nine awards. The motion, moved by Mr. Standing and seconded by Mr. Weisensteel, passed on a voice vote with one abstention: the chair said she would abstain from voting on the GMT Suites item because her firm represents that property’s landlord. Staff invited award recipients in the room and thanked applicants.
Rose said the program remains open for additional applications and that nonprofits are now eligible. Staff noted applicants can access program materials online.
