COVID-19 Resources for Downtown Businesses and Residents

We have compiled a list of helpful resources for small businesses, restaurants, residents and stakeholders in downtown Richmond, Virginia.

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Please see the links below and continue to check back for updates:

• Commonwealth of Virginia COVID-19 Updates: https://www.virginia.gov/coronavirus-updates/
• City of Richmond COVID-19 Updates: http://www.richmondgov.com/covid19/index.aspx
• Virginia Department of Health: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/health-department-locator/
• Small Business Support: https://www.virginiasbdc.org/covid/
• Chamber RVA Resources for Businesses: https://www.chamberrva.com/news/coronavirus-resources-for-rva-businesses/
• Minority Business Laugue: We Care RVA Rebuild Project and $1M Small Business Fund
• State Unemployment: https://www.vawc.virginia.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx
• Federal Benefits: https://www.benefits.gov/
• VAReady: If you are out of work due to COVID-19, the State of Virginia has a resource to help you get back to work! VAReady has partnered with businesses across Virginia, Community Colleges and the FastForward Workforce Credential Program to equip you with the skills needed for in-demand jobs in high-growth sectors. https://vaready.org/
• RebuildVA: The Rebuild VA Grant Fund is a state program to help small businesses and non-profits whose normal operations were disrupted by COVID-19. It is currently awaiting additional funding from the federal government. https://www.governor.virginia.gov/rebuildva
• ForwardRVA: Supports the reopening of the Richmond Region with the immediate focus to support businesses in reopening and operating safely. To see how ForwardRVA can help your small business reopen, click here: https://www.forwardrva.com/
• RVAStrong: A City of Richmond website that provides a space for those who have been impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to access services and also features opportunities for Richmonders to donate to local causes. https://www.rvastrong.org/
• Bridging Virginia: Provides affordable loans to underserved small businesses in the Greater Richmond area, generating resources for communities affected by COVID-19. Small businesses have been disproportionately hurt by the economic impact of coronavirus, and minority- and woman-owned small business owners have been less likely to benefit from existing loan programs. Bridging Virginia is working to close that gap with low-interest, long-dated loans. https://www.bridgingvirginia.org/
• Central Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund, activated by the Community Foundation and the Emergency Management Alliance of Central Virginia, is providing support to organizations and public agencies that are addressing urgent needs associated with the pandemic such as health care, housing, food access, childcare and senior care. https://www.cfrichmond.org/Leadership-Impact/Central-Virginia-COVID-19-Response
• Virginia Community Capital’s Open for Business Loan Fund, funded by Wells Fargo: In addition to loans, the program includes funding to be allocated toward forgiving interest and loan payments to COVID-impacted organizations. Eligible businesses are minority or women-owned that have been in business for at least 18 months in the cities of Richmond, Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights and the counties of Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield, Powhatan, Goochland and New Kent. https://vacommunitycapital.org/our-impact/open-for-business-loan-fund/

Like most of you, the Venture Richmond team is astounded as we watch the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation. In a short time, we have seen our city, our state, and our world go through dramatic changes that none of us could have predicted.

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Venture Richmond wants you to know that, in these very difficult times, we are working to maintain our mission of enhancing the vitality of the community, particularly downtown. That includes continuing to provide key services while keeping you and our employees safe.

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As stewards of downtown Richmond’s riverfront, Venture Richmond is continuing the effective management of the Canal Walk, Brown’s Island, Tredegar Green and surrounding areas. The Canal Walk and adjacent riverfront areas have continued to be popular destinations to prevent our growing downtown population from getting cabin fever.

As the City, CDC and WHO health guidelines are being followed, we will continue all efforts to diligently serve the needs of these areas for visitors who enjoy the outdoors while maintaining recommended social distancing guidelines.

• Downtown’s riverfront will be policed for litter and maintenance issues 5 days a week.
• Trash will continue to be collected from the waste and recycling receptacles throughout the week.
• The grass will continue to be cut on Brown’s Island, as needed.
• Spring landscaping will continue as scheduled, as will irrigation of the botanical assets.
• Dog waste bags will continue to be made available and supplies will be refilled regularly.
• Maintenance issues and graffiti will continue to be monitored and addressed promptly.
• We will continue to ensure the function and condition of riverfront amenities and historical interpretation.
• For both the safety of our patrons and staff, we decided to cancel the 2020 season of Riverfront Canal Cruises.
• For both the safety of our patrons and staff, we decided to cancel the 2020 in-person Richmond Folk Festival and 2nd Street Festival. Both festivals were held virtually.

Venture Richmond’s Clean, Safe and Green Team continues to provide enhanced services for the Downtown General District and the Riverfront District as normally scheduled. The Team is working to keep downtown’s sidewalks clean and launched their weed eradication program two weeks early due to the warm spring. The Green Team continues to maintain the planters and street medians, too. For all updated information on downtown Clean, Safe & Green efforts, visit our webpage.

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We encourage you to support downtown businesses where it's possible! Richmond’s downtown employers, restaurants, residents, hotels, and cultural institutions continue to adjust to the COVID-19-related disruptions. We will continue to advocate for them, share information when helpful and assist with economic recovery when the time comes. Read more about our efforts to support downtown businesses on our webpage.