City of Waynesboro Receives $50,000 for Small Business Development

City of Waynesboro Receives $50,000 For Small Business Development

Waynesboro, VA – On July 25, 2025, Governor Glenn Youngkin Announced $5.4 million in grants to revitalize downtown development. The City of Waynesboro secured $50,000 as part of the Community Business Launch (CBL) program for its Grow Waynesboro Rockfish Gateway program, which will provide resources to support the development of new businesses, spur job creation, and encourage private investment in the Rockfish Gateway corridor.

The Rockfish Gateway, stretching from the Blue Ridge Tunnel to the Virginia Metalcrafters Marketplace, is one of the most visible entrances to Waynesboro, serving as the gateway from Albemarle and Nelson counties, Interstate 64, Shenandoah National Park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. This targeted area is already home to popular attractions such as Basic City Beer Co., The Foundry, Common Wealth Crush, Happ Coffee Roasters, Blue Ridge Bucha, and Sunset Park, and will soon benefit from major VDOT-funded streetscape improvements.

“The Rockfish Gateway is primed for growth, and this award will help us attract and support the entrepreneurs who can continue to make it a vibrant destination for visitors and residents,” said Greg Hitchin, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the City of Waynesboro. “Building on the success of our previous Grow Waynesboro initiatives, we’ll provide training, mentorship, and funding to help turn great business ideas into reality.”

The Grow Waynesboro Rockfish Gateway program will launch in November, with business planning classes beginning in early 2026. Selected participants will compete in a live Pitch Night event after completion of classes, with at least three winners receiving a total of $50,000 to start or expand businesses by November 2026.

Find more information about Grow Waynesboro Rockfish Gateway here.