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To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to enter into the Twenty-Eighth Commercial Area Revitalization Effort Program Cooperation Agreement between the City of Richmond, Virginia, and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for the purpose of providing for the operation of the Commercial Area Revitalization Effort (“CARE”) Program.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, be and is hereby authorized to enter into the Twenty-Eighth Commercial Area Revitalization Effort Program Cooperation Agreement between the City of Richmond, Virginia, and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for the purpose of providing for the operation of the Commercial Area Revitalization Effort (“CARE”) Program. Such agreement shall be approved as to form by the City Attorney and shall be substantially in the form of the document attached to this ordinance.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
O&R Transmittal
DATE: August 28, 2025
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Dr. Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Sharon Ebert, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Angie Rodgers, Director, Department of Economic Development
RE: Authorization of Twenty-eighth CARE Cooperation Agreement
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to enter into the Twenty-seventh CARE Cooperation Agreement with the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond (EDA) for the purpose of administering the CARE Program.
BACKGROUND: The Commercial Area Revitalization Effort (CARE) Program was established in 1992 by the Department of Economic Development, as a comprehensive program for revitalizing the Hull Street commercial corridor between Commerce Road and Cowardin Avenue. The Program has since been expanded to twelve areas which include: Jackson Ward, North 25th Street; Brook-land Park Blvd.; Hull Street; Midlothian Turnpike; Fulton Hill, Lombardy/Chamberlayne, Meadowbridge, North Avenue, Shockoe Bottom, Swansboro and Eastview/Whitcomb as CARE commercial corridors. The CARE area is best viewed through this searchable map <https://www.richmondeda.com/enterprise-zone-and-care-program-map/>. From time-to-time changes are made to the CARE Program to include other incentives beyond the loan and rebate components, e.g., community development and neighborhood transformation that will stimulate job creation and assist in developing mixed-income communities. In FY 2025, $312,987 in CARE funds were awarded to 22 applicants. The private investment associated with these projects was $4.2 million.
The Department of Economic Development FY 2026 budget included $300,000 in CARE pro-gram funding. The Cooperation Agreement between the City and the EDA lays out the terms for administering the program. It includes new language to support beautification and activation efforts that enhance the commercial environment and generate increased foot traffic within CARE areas.
STRATEGIC INITATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: The Enterprise Zone is a joint program between the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and the City, with administrative support from the EDA. The use of targeted incentives to encourage revitalization and job creation and support business attraction and expansion is supported by the Strategic Plan for Equitable Economic Development.
FISCAL IMPACT: Enterprise Zone program funds were included in the adopted Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon Adoption.
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: November 10, 2025
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: December 12, 2025
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Department of Economic Development
ATTACHMENTS: The Twenty-Eighth Commercial Area Revitalization Effort Program Cooperation Agreement Between the City of Richmond, Virginia, and the Economic Development Authority
STAFF: Jackie Teemer, Department of Economic Development
Katie McConnell, Senior Deputy Director, Department of Economic Development