Matching grants of up to $10,000 have been awarded to 20 local small businesses in Virginia Beach. These funds aim to support exterior improvements to their properties. The City of Virginia Beach Development Authority (VBDA) is responsible for awarding the Facade Improvement Grants (FIG) to eligible businesses.
The program has been active for five years and offers financial assistance for enhancements such as paint, fencing, parking upgrades, signage, lighting, and other property improvements. Administered by the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development, the initiative has distributed $582,979 since its inception to 80 small businesses that have collectively invested about $2.1 million in the community.
Lisa Murphy, VBDA chair, expressed satisfaction with this year’s awards: “We are thrilled to be able to award 20 grants this year, the fifth year of this program,” she said. Murphy highlighted the positive impact on commercial corridors and plans to continue offering the program next year.
Details about future grant opportunities can be found at www.yesvirginiabeach.com/fig. The upcoming 2026 FIG Program will be announced in January 2026.
Virginia Beach is a major city located where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. The mission of its Department of Economic Development is focused on driving economic vitality through investment and job creation.
