NORFOLK
Small businesses hurt by major construction projects in the city can seek help through a $1.3 million assistance program approved Tuesday by the City Council.
The program offers low-interest loans, matching grants for business upgrades, customer discount coupons, marketing outreach and way-finding signs.
City Manager Regina V.K. Williams said her research shows Norfolk might be the only city offering such a sweeping business-assistance program.
But it might not be enough for some businesses, who say they're on the verge of folding because of city projects.
"Honestly, that doesn't help much," said Irene Flere, who owns the German Pantry restaurant, deli and grocery store on Virginia Beach Boulevard.
Business owners say construction work to widen Virginia Beach Boulevard near Military Highway has driven away customers because access is so difficult.
"We're all struggling to get our bills paid here," Flere said. "How does that help us pay our bills? We've lost any kind of income to keep us going."
Flere said she's decided to sell.
"This is too stressful for me," she said.
Jim Close, owner of Monticello Antiques, said he was disappointed in the plan and hoped it would have offered more direct grant assistance.
Close is part of an informal group of about a dozen downtown and Freemason businesses that have been surrounded by utility and building construction for close to two years. He said he didn't think the plan would be well-received.
"We've been waiting and waiting a long time," he said.
Williams said she knows some businesses might have been expecting more.
"There's a misnomer out there that city checks would be provided," she said.
Williams said there's an issue of balance when writing checks off taxpayer dollars.
"We can't take public funds and provide it to private businesses," she said.
The Major Urban Construction Impact Policy and Program includes:
- Low-interest loans of up to $125,000 to be paid back over five years.
- Matching grants to businesses that lose physical assets such as awnings or sidewalk dining to help replace them.
- Matching grants up to $15,000 for businesses to remodel or expand during the slow period.
- Grants of 20 cents on the dollar for customer coupons of up to $5, with a cap of $500 in assistance.
- A free valet service at three spots along Granby Street.
To qualify for assistance, businesses must be small and locally owned and must have been in the same location two years before the start of the major city construction projects. Loan applicants must prove a drop in patronage or revenues of at least 20 percent.
Businesses can apply now for help through the city's Economic Development Authority.
Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com
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Construction
What has the city been doing on Virginia Beach Blvd for the past year? I have never seen such slow-moving construction in my life. To top it off, every time they reconfigure the lanes, they do a HORRIBLE job of covering up the old lines, which has caused several near-accidents right around me.
My real question is what did the city do before all the construction started to prep these businesses? Notices are not sufficient. Some sort of short-term solution should have been sought for each business to help minimize the impact of these projects. How would Regina V.K. Williams feel if the city told her that she would lose 75% of her pay for 2 years and there isn't anything she can do about it?