Tourism Zones
The City of Newport News has several tourism zones to attract more investment in areas prioritized in the Citywide Tourism Development Plan and Retail Development Strategy as well as the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The zones cover Greater Hilton, the Patrick Henry area, the Southeast Community, and Upper Warwick Boulevard/Denbigh.
New and expanding businesses seeking to attract customers from outside the City, located in one of the zones and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements may qualify for incentives in the form of a reduction, or waiver, of Business, Professional, and Occupational License (BPOL) taxes and performance grants based on tax revenue from meals, lodging, admissions, and local sales tax, as applicable.
The level of incentive is determined based on a point system. Scoring is based on the project's:
- Capital investment
- Job creation
- Increase in local taxes generated
- Increase in BPOL taxes generated
- Annual contribution to the City’s Strategic Priorities
- Environmental innovation
- Contribution to public art
- SWaM Certification
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Zone | New Businesses | Expanding Businesses | ||
| Capital Investment | New Jobs | Capital Investment | New Jobs |
Greater Hilton | $250,000 | 4 | $125,000 | 2 |
Patrick Henry | $500,000 | 8 | $250,000 | 4 |
Southeast Community | $250,000 | 4 | $125,000 | 2 |
Upper Warwick Blvd/Denbigh | $250,000 | 4 | $125,000 | 2 |
For more information, contact Kathrina Turner, Economic Analyst II, at (757) 597-2840 ext. 402 or turnerk@nnva.gov.
Application
Maps