Historic Roanoke City Market receives state funding to install new awnings and expand vendor space
Roanoke, Virginia – The Historic Roanoke City Market is set to see a boost in infrastructure, thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Awarded in late June and officially accepted by the Roanoke City Council in early August, the funding will be used to install new awnings at the market.
Expanding Vendor Capacity and Community Impact
The new awnings will allow the market to increase vendor capacity, add more selling space, and ensure the facility operates at full potential year-round. Ritz Awning Co. has been contracted to fabricate and install the awnings, with installation anticipated this fall.
This grant is part of a broader effort by Governor Glenn Youngkin to strengthen local food production and improve agricultural facilities across Virginia. The statewide initiative awarded funding to 12 projects, totaling more than $497,000, under the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) fund. The program is administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).
The AFID infrastructure grant program provides reimbursable funds primarily for capital projects at farmers’ markets, food hubs, commercial kitchens, and other value-added agricultural facilities. These investments aim to attract and support small and mid-scale agricultural operations, stimulate economic development, create new jobs, and improve food security in local communities.
Roanoke’s investment in the City Market aligns with this mission, helping to preserve a historic community asset while ensuring it remains a thriving hub for farmers, producers, and residents for years to come.
