The Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) encourages economic development and investment through the renovation of vacant and derelict structures in Virginia. Each year, the program awards funding to localities throughout the state to assist market-driven projects that eliminate blight and revitalize our communities. The success of the IRF program over the past nine years, as well as the need to support COVID-impacted industries, communities, and people, has led to additional funding through the American Rescue Plan Act. As an initial step with the additional ARPA funding for the IRF program, planning grants will be available to help bolster early stage projects, enabling feasibility studies and other planning-related activities for potential IRF applicants later in the year.

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will be conducting a how-to-apply webinar for the IRF Planning Grant on January 05, 2022 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. During the session, DHCD staff will offer an overview of the program design, funding availability, application process and additional grant information.

Click here to register for the IRF Planning Grant How-to-Apply Webinar! If you have questions about registration or the IRF program, please contact Annie Arnest at annie.arnest@dhcd.virginia.gov or (804) 385-4076.

Click here to view the IRF Planning Grant guidelines!

Photo Credit: Downtown Ashland Association