​​​​​​​​​​​District Improvement Program (DIP)

The District Improvement Program (DIP) is a matching grant program established to provide impactful support to small, locally owned, and operated businesses located within the boundaries of the Strategic Growth Areas (SGAs), Special Economic Growth Areas (SEGAs), Suburban Focus Areas (SFAs), Council-adopted districts, or any valid business associations in the City of Virginia Beach.

The Program provides monetary matching grants to existing small business owners or those who plan to buy or lease existing and/or vacant industrial or commercial properties within the designated areas or districts qualified under this program.

The grant funding is to be used for building repairs or improvements, equipment expansion or business modernization, and interior or exterior building improvements. Proposed improvements must support and meet the goals of the adopted plans of the qualified designated district.

DIP Overview Information


 SGA Maps
  1. Burton Station
  2. Centerville
  3. Newtown
  4. Pembroke
  5. Rosemont
  6. Lynnhaven
  7. Hilltop
  8. Resort

 SEGA Maps
  1. Princess Anne
  2. West Oceana
  3. East Oceana
  4. South Oceana

 SFA Maps
  1. ​Military Highway Corridor
  2. Historic Kempsville
  3. Shore Drive Corridor
  4. North Courthouse
  5. South Holland
  6. First Colonial Medical Corridor
  7. Historic Seatack
  8. Virginia Aquarium & Owls Creek
  9. North End
  10. Sandbridge

 DIP Grant Application

​How to apply?

As part of the application submission, there are required documents that must be provided. Before you begin completing the application, make sure you have all of the required documents ready for uploading.

  • Completed W-9 Form.
  • Description of the project with site/floor plan(s), drawings, photographs of the building and/or equipment and other supporting materials that accurately represent the scope and intent of project improvements.
  • Description of how the project will benefit the designated district (i.e. increase foot traffic, provide jobs, increase revenues, community investment, contribute to placemaking, etc.)
  • Proof of funding to complete the project
  • Estimated costs of the project, including design fees, permits, construction, materials and fabrication costs. If required, provide two contractor bids for the scope of work. Contractors must be licensed, bonded and insured.
  • If Applicant is a tenant, a letter from the property owner, signed and dated, authorizing this application and project improvements must be obtained and submitted.

NOTE: If you run into any issues uploading the required documents, please call us at (757) 385-6464 or email us at ecdev@vbgov.com. In the subject line of the email, make sure the name of the program (DIP) is included as well as your company name. For all other questions, please call Kathy Warren at (757) 385-2901. 

Click here to begin the application.