Joy Almond, Main Street Manager 704-984-9420 jalmond@albemarlenc.gov

Our Programs

Downtown Business Assistance

Sign Grant

Download Application
**Grants are awarded 50-50 match basis with a maximum ADDC participation of $1,000 per sign project. Proposed signage must have prior approval from the City of Albemarle Planning & Development.

Vibrancy Grant -NEW!

Download Application
The Vibrancy Grant is an expansion of the ADDC’s matching landscape grant. In addition to landscaping improvement, this grant also covers other outdoor elements to activate entrances of storefronts.

**Grants are awarded 50-50 match basis with a maximum ADDC participation of $1000 per project. Must have prior approval from the City of Albemarle Planning & Development Department.

Facade Grant

Download Application
**Grants are awarded 50-50 match basis with a maximum ADDC participation of $1,500 per facade project. Must have prior approval from the City of Albemarle Planning & Development Department before making improvements.

Albemarle Downtown Area Revitalization Policy (ADAR)

Improve downtown areas, attract new investors and development for business, and improve the visual appearance of Albemarle.

NC Rural Center Thread Capital

Click here to learn more about Thread Capital, a nonprofit subsidary of the NC Rural Center, providing financing to North Carolina entrepreneurs.

The facade grant we received from ADDC helped us make some much needed changes to the front of our building. We were able to replace our windows, which were old and had a yellow tint, with new more energy efficient windows. We are extremely happy with the improved look of our building and very thankful for our grant from ADDC!
Everest Boutique

421 W. Main Street, Albemarle

By having access to all three of the façade grant programs offered by the Albemarle Downtown Development Commission, it afforded us the opportunity to use Second Street Sundries as a means to enhance and promote the downtown district’s unique character and identity. We fully believe that the aesthetic quality that the grants provided have had a direct impact on the economic vitality of our business.
Second Street Sundries

221 North Second Street, Albemarle

As a non-profit organization, we try to take advantage of any grant opportunities that might be available. We were honored to have been the recipient of a façade grant to assist in our signage after moving our central office to our current location on Second Street in downtown Albemarle. In our line of business of providing quality services to individuals with autism, it is of utmost importance that there is a public awareness of our operations. To that end, good signage is critical. We continue to receive positive feedback since the installation to the façade of our building has been completed, and we have received numerous requests for assistance based on the simple observation of the “GHA Autism Supports” lettering. Special thanks to the Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation and to the network of donors that have made this program possible!
GHA Autism Supports

213 North Second Street, Albemarle

Invest in Downtown Albemarle

In his book, “Walkable City” Jeff Speck, one of the leading city planners in the country, concludes his book; “The downtown is the only part of the city that belongs to everybody.  It doesn’t matter where you may find your home; the downtown is yours, too.  Investing in the downtown of a city is the only place-based way to benefit all of its citizens at once. . . Every relocation decision, be it a college graduate’s or a corporation’s, is made with an image of place in mind. . . And, with rare exception, that image is downtown.”

We are affiliated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street Center through the North Carolina Main Street program. The purpose of the Main Street program is to encourage economic revitalization through historic preservation.

Please consider coming alongside the efforts of ADDC, our board, and our committee members as we work toward our goals of economic revitalization through historic preservation and a strong and vibrant downtown business district.

We encourage you to be a part of the future of downtown Albemarle.  ADDC is an independent non-profit organization, and needs your support to help downtown Albemarle reach its full potential.

Why invest in  Downtown? Downtown districts are prominent employment centers. Even the smallest commercial district employs hundreds of people, and often the district is collectively the community’s largest employer. The downtown district is a reflection of community. Image, pride, prosperity, and level of investment — critical factors in business retention and recruitment efforts. Downtown represents a significant portion of the community’s tax base.  If the district declines, property values drop, placing more of a tax burden on other parts of town. The traditional commercial district is an ideal location for independent businesses, which in turn:

  • Keeps profits in town with local owners
  • Supports other local businesses and services
  • Supports local families with family-owned businesses
  • Supports local community projects
  • Provides a stable economic foundation with direct ties to the community

Downtown is the historic core of the community. Its buildings embody the community’s past and its visual identity. Historic buildings attract businesses, residents, and visitors. Retaining the character of these buildings can be an important asset to a community revitalization program. A healthy downtown core protects property values in surrounding residential neighborhoods. Downtown provides an important civic forum, where members of the community can congregate. Special events and celebrations held downtown reinforce intangible sense of community. Downtown represents a huge public and private investment. Imagine how much it would cost to re-create all of the buildings and public infrastructure in Albemarle’s downtown.

As a way of saying THANKS, you will receive a tax letter acknowledging your contribution.

pdf Investment Form

Once the donation has been received, an acknowledgement for your charitable tax deduction will be mailed to you. Thank you for your support!

Get In Touch

Location:
144 N Second St. Albemarle, NC 28001

Mailing Address:
PO Box 2123 Albemarle, NC 28002

Telephone: 704-984-9415

Email: admin@albemarledowntown.com

Hours: M-F: 8am – 5pm