By Matt de Simone
The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors last week formally announced the recipients of the county’s 2025 Small Business Grant Program, awarding $99,927 to 27 businesses across all five magisterial districts. The announcement was made during the board’s Feb. 24 meeting in Daleville.
Now in its second year, the competitive program made $100,000 available in funding — $50,000 from Botetourt County and $50,000 from Google funds administered through the Botetourt County Economic Development Authority. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $5,000.
The application period was open from Aug. 25 through Oct. 10 and drew 61 submissions — about 20 more than in 2024 — with businesses requesting a combined $356,779 in funding.
Economic Development staff conducted a detailed review process, scoring applications based on due diligence, clarity of the grant proposal and budget plan, business overview and mission, projected impact of the grant, and growth potential. Staff also verified that applicants were in good standing with the county.
Grants were awarded with district representation in mind, ensuring funding was distributed among the Amsterdam, Blue Ridge, Buchanan, Fincastle and Valley Districts.
Eligible uses of funds included professional services such as marketing, legal and financial assistance; new capital investments such as real estate, machinery and equipment, particularly where job creation or expansion was involved; and compliance with state and local regulations and permits.
The EDA approved the award recommendations during its Nov. 21, 2025, meeting. Each recipient has been contacted, spending objectives have been confirmed, and contracts will be executed in the form of economic development incentive agreements. Funds will be distributed on a reimbursable basis, with documentation required for eligible expenses.
The 27 selected businesses received an average award of $3,664.
2025 Grant Recipients
Amsterdam District
- Little Green Hive — $3,000 for tables and chairs
- Mountain Thyme Honey & Gifts, LLC — $4,200 for equipment and packaging
- F.A. Wagner Insurance Agency, Inc. — $5,000 for computer hardware and software and marketing
- Appalachian Environmental — $4,500 for machinery, equipment and marketing
- JWF Services, Inc., doing business as The Local Lemon — $3,448 for equipment
- Grow Wild, Play Studio — $3,000 for equipment and marketing
- Southwest Virginia Training — $2,529 for equipment
Fincastle District
- Sprinkel’s Garage, LLC — $4,000 for equipment
- Heritage Family Market Inc. — $2,000 for a new refrigerator
- Fincastle Automotive Inc. — $3,000 for equipment
- Windy Ridge Fencing & Excavating Services, DBA of Sunny Side Ranch, LLC — $2,000 for truck upgrade
- Will Haul — $4,000 for truck wrap, marketing and equipment
- Healing Hideaway, LLC — $4,000 for a new massage table
Blue Ridge District
- Eggie Lope’s, LLC — $4,500 for packaging, equipment, marketing and legal fees
- Interior Design by Teanna — $4,850 for marketing and legal fees
Valley District
- Joyful Noise Children’s Center, LLC — $5,000 for an HVAC upgrade
- Portraits by Cher — $5,000 for equipment
Buchanan District
- Foot of the Mountain Café — $3,899 for a refrigerator
- Good Times Café, LLC — $4,000 for kitchen equipment and outdoor seating
- Mrs. B’s Restaurant and Bar — $5,000 for a refrigerator
- Beaver Dam Farms, Inc. — $2,000 for grading services for a new barn
- Buchanan Butchery, LLC — $2,000 for a meat display cooler
- Mount Joy Mushrooms, LLC — $5,000 for equipment and expansion
- Blue Ridge Flower Exchange — $5,000 for a service vehicle purchase
- Glenda Snyder Farm — $3,000 for farm materials
- Sharin’ Flowers — $3,000 for equipment
- The Barn at Back Creek Farm — $3,000 for building upfits
Supervisors voiced support for continuing the program, citing strong demand and broad participation across the county. With applications once again far exceeding available funds, county leaders said the grant initiative remains a key tool in strengthening Botetourt’s small business community and encouraging local economic growth.
