Business News - September 2

💰 Need Help Covering Business Equipment Costs? 🧰

Author

Joya Garris
September 02, 2025

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Top Three:

  • The City of Roanoke is once again offering businesses assistance with equipment costs through its incentive program.

  • Halloween will be here before you know it— sign up to participate in Macaroni Kid’s annual Candy Crawl.

  • Save the date: You’re invited to an exclusive parking study meeting on September 18th.

Keep reading to stay informed!  

- Joya Garris, Director of Marketing & Communications

Stay Informed

Business Equipment Incentive Program ⚙️

On October 1, the City of Roanoke’s Economic Development Authority will open the next round of funding for the Business Equipment Incentive Program, which helps businesses by offering a 50/50 match on eligible equipment purchases.

Funding Details: 

  • Manufacturing & Industrial Sector: Maximum award per business – $20,000

  • Commercial & Retail Sector: Maximum award per business – $5,000

  • Funding can be used for equipment that is taxed as Business Personal Property, or subject to the Machinery and Tools Tax.

Additional Equipment Guidelines: 

  • Minimum purchase: $500

  • Maximum: 10 pieces of equipment per company

  • Motor vehicles are not eligible

  • Recipients of last year's Business Equipment Incentive Program are not eligible to apply for this year's round of funding.

For eligibility requirements, application information, and frequently asked questions, please click the button below.

Ambassador Update 💙 

Tackling weeds was on the August agenda for the Downtown Roanoke Ambassadors! From curbs to tree grates, they trimmed overgrowth all across the Downtown Service District.

Gift Card Meeting Notes 📝 

We’ve officially launched our new digital gift card program via Yiftee! Please review the PowerPoint if you missed our training session last week. It includes the redemption instructions, which I recommend printing and placing at your register so employees can easily refer to it.

Please watch the training video: https://youtu.be/FB7Y2dyK64A.

Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions.

Get Involved

Parking Study Meeting: Businesses! 🅿️ 

Thursday, September 18th | 9am | Hampton Inn Conference Room

The City of Roanoke is conducting a comprehensive year-long parking study to assess and improve parking downtown. Part of the research includes an exclusive meeting for businesses to voice their valuable opinions on Thursday, September 18th at 9am. We encourage you to attend to if you want to create change. Please note that the primary focus of this meeting is public parking (PARK Roanoke).

Areas to consider when formulating your opinions:

  • Cost

  • Availability

  • Technology

  • Free parking days/times

  • Enforcement

  • Special event parking

  • Marketing & communication

  • Street parking

  • Staffing

  • Security

  • Customer service

  • Tickets and fines

Halloween Candy Crawl 🎃🍭 

Saturday, October 25, 10am - 12pm

The 6th Annual Downtown Candy Crawl returns. The beloved family tradition fills downtown with hundreds of cute trick-or-treaters. Over 500 families have already registered in advance.

Macaroni Kid is also allowing businesses to provide additional activities and incentives to the families who sign up. 

For example: 

  • In-store activities such as STEAM fun, craft, games, and contests

  • Special offers day-of or "come back" coupons

  • Meal deals and kids deal opportunities

  • Vouchers or coupons (ex. a $5 voucher for a kid's meal)

Macaroni KID will promote the event and activities to their audience of over 7,000 enewsletter subscribers, 50K+ monthly website views, social media followers, and more to spread the word. All you need to do is sign up and provide candy.

Events, Street Closures, & Parking

Downtown Events and Street Closures 🚧

The following street closures and associated events may affect Downtown traffic and business for the week of September 1 - 7.

Additional closures:

  • Drainage Project — Find updates and closures here.

Upcoming Festivals, Concerts, & Events 🎉 

We’ve officially entered festival season! Whether you want to get involved or need to staff your business, mark your calendars for the following festivals and events.

Find Downtown Parking 🅿️

With more than 1,300 on-street spaces and 7,000+ off-street spaces, plenty of free or paid parking options exist.

DRI - Your Downtown Partner

Put DRI to work for you! 💼

Our mission is to make Downtown Roanoke the preferred place to Work, Live, and Play. As a Downtown business, you have a valuable FREE resource at your fingertips. Let us help share your story!

Website Listings on DowntownRoanoke.org - Our business listings often come up among the first in Google searches. Help us enhance your listing by providing us with vital information including website, phone number, description, hours, menus, and images.

Job Listings on DowntownRoanoke.org - Downtown Roanoke is the most vibrant workplace around and a destination for job seekers. Let us help get the word out when you’re hiring!

Event Listings on DowntownRoanoke.org - Our Event Calendar is THE place people go to find out what’s happening Downtown. Get your event in front of the audience you’re looking for.

Important Contacts 👤

Often businesses need phone numbers for government services, such as solid waste, permitting, etc., and other services, such as private parking and transportation.

Check out our list of frequently requested information!