The Leesburg Economic Development Commission voted Nov. 5 to support a grant application for a downtown digital kiosk and to back a $15,000 enhancement to the town’s FY2027 budget to complete the project.

Staff told the commission the kiosk is intended to implement parts of a recently completed wayfinding study. Allison (Economic Development staff) said the preferred site is the new portion of Mervyn Jackson Park, on the far side of the parking garage, and that electricity and fiber are already available nearby because of the park’s piano structure. She told the commission the town would apply in spring 2026 for the Virginia Main Street Community Vitality Grant, which has a maximum award of $15,000 and requires a 3:1 match; staff’s estimate for a double-sided, weather- and temperature-resistant kiosk is about $30,000.

"The implementation of a digital kiosk is a lower-cost way of kicking off the wayfinding study implementation," Allison said. She added the Leesburg Movement has offered support for the application and that the kiosk could link to the town’s walking-tour content and display event listings and business information.

Commissioners asked technical and durability questions. Staff said kiosks can be configured to restrict public access to system functions and that vandalism remains a risk but that public works and IT would coordinate infrastructure and security. Russell (Director, Economic Development) confirmed that public-works and IT capacity to support a kiosk installation has been discussed.

Commissioner Andrew moved to support the application and the requested $15,000 FY2027 enhancement; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Allison said the item will be presented to Town Council on Nov. 25, when staff will request the budget enhancement and seek council’s authorization to apply in the next grant cycle.

If funded, staff said the kiosk would be customizable to show maps, business listings, event calendars and walking-tour stops; a double-sided unit was included in staff’s cost estimate to permit two users at once.

What happens next: The commission’s vote signals local support; Council action is required to approve the FY2027 budget enhancement and the town’s participation in the Main Street grant application.