Olde Towne Business Association Awarded $500 Green Grant

Olde Towne Business Association, Portsmouth, VA logoOlde Towne Business Association in Portsmouth is awarded a $500 Green Grant in the Litter Prevention category as part of Keep Virginia Beautiful’s 15th Annual Green Grants program.    

Every year, government, non-profit, civic, and service organizations in Virginia are invited to apply for grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 that will help address environmental concerns in their community.  Grants must focus on one of the following priorities:   Litter Prevention, Recycling & Waste Reduction, Cigarette Litter Prevention & Recycling, or Community Beautification. 

The Olde Towne Business Association was established in 1960 to enhance and preserve the integrity of the business district as part of their ongoing efforts to preserve and maintain historic downtown Portsmouth. Their Beautification Committee partners with Volunteer Hampton Roads to host monthly cleanups and collaborates with the city and the nearby Civic League for the Great American Cleanup and Clean the Bay Day. In addition, the non-profit organization organizes extra cleanup efforts ahead of festivals and other events.   

Photograph of Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA with brick sidewalk, trees, and shopsThe organization will participate in Virginia’s Main Street program, which supports cities in revitalizing their historic commercial districts. Funds awarded will be used to purchase cleanup supplies, such as litter grabbers and buckets, to increase cleanup efforts in Portsmouth. 

To encourage greater volunteer participation and increase business involvement in keeping Olde Towne clean, the Business Association will implement a dual-approach program. Ten cleanup kits—each consisting of a grabber, bucket, gloves, and bags—will be kept on hand to support larger volunteer groups during regular cleanups. The remaining ten kits will be loaned to select businesses along Olde Towne’s main streets. Participating businesses will display a “Love Where You Live” sign in their windows, signaling their commitment to a cleaner community.

Olde Towne Business Association’s Beautification Committee will check in monthly to replenish gloves and bags as needed, ensuring continued participation and support. This initiative will help foster a shared sense of pride and responsibility among business owners, volunteers, and residents alike.