City of Virginia Beach Development Authority Awards Grant to Veteran-owned Apparel Company

September 5, 2024

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Sept. 5, 2024) – A Virginia Beach veteran-owned business is getting help to expand from the City of Virginia Beach.

The Virginia Beach Development Authority (VBDA) is granting $420,000 under the Economic Development Investment Program (EDIP) to Born Primitive LLC, a leading provider of functional activewear, to assist in the expansion of its headquarters and operations in Virginia Beach.

“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the City of Virginia Beach and the Department of Economic Development for extending us this generous grant, which will help us establish a world-class facility in order to continue to build and expand our business,” said Born Primitive Co-founder and CEO Timothy “Bear” Handlon.

The City's EDIP is a locally funded discretionary incentive program available to assist qualifying companies with growth needs in Virginia Beach. VBDA has been administering this program on behalf of the City Council since 1994. The program may provide cash grants to eligible companies based on the average annual salary and number of new jobs created and/or new capital investment made over a 36-month period or 48 months.

“We are thrilled that Born Primitive, a valued partner and member of our business community, continues to invest in Virginia Beach,” said Virginia Beach Deputy City Manager Amanda Jarratt. “We look forward to Born Primitive’s continued presence and growth in the city and hope that it, like all of our Virginia Beach businesses, continue to prosper.”

Founded in 2014 by former Navy SEAL Lt. Handlon and co-founder Mallory Riley, the company has grown from a garage startup to a thriving business offering over 1,200 products. The company intends to use the funding to support its expansion project, which includes the construction of a new 58,000-square-foot warehouse and office facility located at 1469-1489 Virginia Beach Boulevard. This new facility, expected to be completed by fall 2025, will replace the current office at 1632 Virginia Beach Boulevard and the existing warehouse at 2693 and 2696 Reliance Drive.

“Since Born Primitive established roots in Virginia Beach nearly a decade ago, we have been proud to call Virginia Beach our home,” Handlon said. “Virginia Beach has been and will continue to be part of our company identity.”

About Virginia Beach & the Department of Economic Development

Virginia Beach, one of Virginia’s most populous cities, resides where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. The mission of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development is to drive economic vitality and inclusive prosperity in the city by fostering the attraction and creation of new investment, innovation, and jobs. www.yesvirginiabeach.com

# # #