Winterization Grants To Be Offered To Alexandria Businesses

ALEXANDRIA, VA — On Tuesday, Alexandria City Council voted to approve a grant program to help businesses "winterize" during the pandemic. Applications open at noon on Nov. 2.

Because public health guidance advises social distancing and minimizing time inside indoor, enclosed spaces, businesses may adapt and expand outdoor operations. According to the Alexandria Economic Development's grant program website, discussions revealed that there is a financial need in the business community to support winterization equipment and activate outdoor spaces during winter months.

City Council initially funded the All Weather Grant program with $500,000 in federal CARES Act funds. Funds are geared toward restaurant, retail, fitness and other storefront businesses that seek to "winterize" outdoor business areas. The $5,000 grants will be available on a first come, first served basis until funding is gone. Businesses that applied for the Alexandria Back2Business grants can apply for the All Weather program as long as the funds are used for the permitted expenses.

Businesses can purchase, tents or other structures like awnings that provide cover, propane or electric heaters, outdoor furniture, lighting, and other items for use in an outdoor setting.

To be eligible, businesses must be licensed in Alexandria, locally owned and operated, by current on local business taxes or in a payment plan, not involved in bankruptcy proceedings, and intend to remain operating through Dec. 31. Businesses should either have a temporary expansion of outdoor dining permit, temporary expansion of a retail business permit, temporary outdoor expansion of fitness uses permit, King Street Outdoor Dining Program permit, special use permit allowing outdoor dining or vending, or active application for any of these permits.

See the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership website for details on applications.

City Council also approved an additional $1 million for the Back2Business grant program, fully funding the second round of grants. Applications for the second round were open from Sept. 30 to Oct. 7, and more than 400 applications were received. Eligibility criteria was expanded in the second round so other kinds of businesses and nonprofit childcare providers were eligible to apply. In the first round, $3.495 million in grants was distributed to 303 businesses.