2026-27 Business Equipment Incentive Program

On October 1, the City of Roanoke’s Economic Development Authority opened next round of funding for the Business Equipment Incentive Program. This program helps businesses grow and modernize by offering a 50/50 match on eligible equipment purchases.

Should you need assistance completing your application, please contact the Department of Economic Development:

Manufacturing and Industry businesses, please contact Alicia Cundiff at alicia.cundiff@roanokeva.gov or by phone at 540-853-5405.
Retail and Commercial businesses, please contact Brady Lawrence at brady.lawrence@roanokeva.gov or by phone at 540-853-5661.
Biotech and Life Sciences businesses, please contact Bradley Boettcher at bradley.boettcher@roanokeva.gov or by phone at 540-853-1698

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 Machinery and Tools.

Additional Equipment Guidelines:

Minimum purchase: $500 per item
Maximum of 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.
Equipment must be purchased after the grant application has been approved.
Once application is approved, equipment must be purchased and receipts submitted to the Department of Economic Development by September 15, 2027. Grant funding will be forfeited if required receipts are not submitted by September 15, 2027.

Eligibility; businesses must:

Have operated in a commercially zoned location in the City of Roanoke for at least one year
Be current on all City of Roanoke business taxes
Hold a valid City of Roanoke business license, if required
Manufacturing/Industrial: Employ at least two full-time W-2 employees
Retail/Commercial: Employ at least one full-time W-2 employee

Application:

Current City of Roanoke Business License (if required to have a business license by the City)
Most recent Business Personal Property Tax statement and proof of payment
Proof of W-2 employees (payroll records or other official documentation)
A list of equipment you plan to purchase, including the estimated cost per item
The equipment estimate will be used to determine the potential grant amount. The program cannot award more than the amount approved at the time of application.

Upon submission of receipts, if the actual purchase price is less than the estimated cost, the grant award will be 50% of the actual purchase price. The program will only award grants for equipment listed on the business’s application. Varying brands of the equipment listed on the application are permissible at the time of purchase.

The Economic Development Authority recognizes that the documents submitted in response to 1, 2, and 3 likely contain proprietary information of the applicant. The Authority promises to treat these documents as confidential to the maximum extent permitted by Section 2.2-3705.6(3) of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Timeline:

Applications will only be accepted through the online application portal that goes live on October 1, 2026 at 8:00 AM.
Deadline to Purchase Equipment & Submit Receipts: September 15, 2027
Funding is awarded on a first come, first served basis. Applications will be accepted until available funding has been fully allocated.
Only FULL and COMPLETE applications with all required documentations attached will be considered

Please note: Your tax liability for Business Personal Property or Machine and Tools tax, if applicable, will be assessed at the original purchase price excluding any relief awarded from this grant. EG. A business purchases a $40,000 piece of equipment and receives a $20,000 grant from the EDA, and pays $20,000 out of pocket, the amount you file on your Business Personal Property return for the equipment will remain $40,000.

Name

First NameLast Name

Title

Company Name

Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Email

example@example.com

Company's Physical Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Company's Mailing Address (if different)

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Business Type:

Number of full-time equivalents employed at City of Roanoke location:

Briefly tell us about your business. What goods and/or services do you provide?

As of October 1, 2025, how long has your business been operating in the City of Roanoke?

Please provide your website URL:

Please describe how this grant will help your business continue to grow in the City of Roanoke, increase efficiency, add new jobs, and/or enter a new market?

Please explain how your business would use this funding. Please provide as much detail as possible.

Please provide a list of equipment you are seeking to purchase, the estimated cost, and a link to the item you wish to purchase.

This information will be used to determine the potential grant amount. The program cannot grant more than the amount awarded at the time of application. If the actual purchase price is less than the estimated cost provided, your grant award will be 50% of the actual purchase price.

Minimum equipment purchase of $500 per item
Maximum of 10 pieces of equipment per company

As a reminder, motor vehicles do not qualify for this incentive. Eligible items must be taxed as business personal property tax or machinery and tools.

Please upload the following documentation in the file upload below:

File Upload - Please provide the documents noted above in the checklist: