Route 1 Refresh Grant program assisting businesses

Next year, Jefferson Davis Highway in Prince William County will be renamed Richmond Highway.

A Route 1 Refresh Grant is offering support to businesses that will be impacted by the Route 1 name change.

The program seeks to assist with various costs, including those related to website revisions, marketing, and printing items.

Eligible businesses can receive up to $5,000. Prince William County will reimburse as much as 75 percent of the cost – no more than $30,000 – to update shopping center signs with “Jefferson Davis Highway” on them.

Starting July 2022, the Prince William County Department of Economic Development (PWCDED) will be accepting applications for the Route 1 Refresh Grant.

To be considered, businesses must have a Jefferson Davis Highway address and a business license with the county. They should also be up to date on any business taxes.

HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire, which stands at 15698 Jefferson Davis Highway in Woodbridge, is one of the businesses that the renaming is affecting.

“We’ve been working with the department from the beginning, and they have been making it a very easy process,” Co-Owner ST Billingsley said. “But you have to make the effort to reach out to them.”

For more information or updates, visit the PWCDED website or call (703) 792-5500.

Any businesses interested in speaking with someone from the department may set up an appointment by calling the number or emailing econdev@pwcgov.org.