Blacksburg Spark is a matching grant program that awards downtown businesses a maximum of $20,000 to improve their facades. Commercial properties within the downtown commercial zoning district are eligible to apply. Applications are open until May 1.
Blacksburg Spark, which is also known as the Downtown Façade Improvement Program or Commercial Façade Program, is administered by the Town of Blacksburg. The Town will authorize the Economic Development Authority of Montgomery County to reimburse awardees for eligible improvement expenses.
The program, according to last week’s press release, “is your chance to enhance our streetscapes with eye-catching upgrades: a fresh coat of paint, charming signage, updated lighting or other thoughtful enhancements you might have in mind.”
Program guidelines specify that funds must be used for improvements to the exterior of the building visible from the public right-of-way.
Blacksburg Spark began in 2023. So far, 16 businesses have been awarded grants, including Not Your Mamma’s Pasta, Blacksburg Books, Cabo Fish Taco, QCowork and 310 Rosemont, according to Town of Blacksburg Business Solutions Manager Angie Marcolini in an email on Friday.
Marcolini explained that applications will be reviewed and scored by “a committee of 10, made up of town staff from Planning, Community Relations and Housing and Community Connections departments.” According to the program guidelines, committee members will score each application individually. The average of the individual scores will form the applicant’s total score.
The scoring sheet is available in the program guidelines and has six categories: exemplary design; condition of the building and need for improvements; public visibility and traffic; location in the historic district; alignment with town vision; and age of building. Two additional “criteria sheets” serve as a checklist of qualifiers. For example, the business must be current on taxes and located in a non-government building.
According to Marcolini, Town Council approved $75,000 for the 2026-2027 grant cycle. “We hope to expand the program to outside Downtown in the future. This is a great way for the Town to invest funds back into the business community. If there is a project you are wanting to do, apply for grant funds,” she wrote.
Marcolini encourages potential applicants to contact her with ideas and questions at amarcolini@blacksburg.gov or 540-443-1621.