GREENE COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- A Greene County community has received some funding to help address vacant storefronts in its downtown area.

The 2024 Community Business Launch grants were announced last week, awarding $410,000 to assist recipient communities with hosting a business curriculum and business pitch competition to fill empty storefronts in their commercial districts.

According to a release, the CBL program supports historic districts, commercial corridors and neighborhood commercial districts across Virginia, working to reactivate previously vacant real estate by investing in local entrepreneurs that will either create or expand new businesses in such empty spaces.

The Stanardsville Area Revitalization partnership between Stanardsville and Greene County got $60,000.

This will help to support efforts to restore economic vitality to the county’s historic seat.

Last year, Lovinsgton in Nelson County was one of three communities to receive some of this funding.

Those grants helped to train 54 entrepreneurs, create nine new and five expanded businesses, and support 17 new jobs.

The other communities to receive funding this year are Lynchburg, Covington, Petersburg, Waverly and Wise.