Downtown Norfolk Council recently announced that its Vibrancy Grant Program is now offering matching grants of up to $5,000 for restaurants to build or outfit a streatery. The program will help local businesses with costs associated to establish or improve outdoor dining in designated parking spots in downtown.
The matching grant can be used to purchase materials, furniture, landscaping or other costs associated with outdoor dining in the street. A streatery is an outdoor dining space within a public street, typically in one or two parking spaces. Funding can be used for streatery construction, electrician assistance, signage, furniture, planters, heaters or lighting.
Restaurants in the Downtown Improvement District are eligible for the grant support and must match the funds one to one ($5,000 grant + $5,000 match = $10,000 project). Priority is given to DNC members and OpenNorfolk participants.
Applications are now available and will be reviewed and awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applications are available online. Questions about the Vibrancy Grant Program should be directed to Rachel McCall, director of strategic initiatives, at 757-452-6596 or email rmccall@downtownnorfolk.org.
“We all know that outdoor dining is going to continue to play an important role in attracting and retaining visitors to Downtown Norfolk,” said Mary Miller, president and CEO of Downtown Norfolk Council. “This grant program is specifically designed to benefit our restaurant owners with much needed support through December 2022.”