Business vandalism (Stock Photo 193381960 © Animaflora | Dreamstime.com)

By Pete McIntyre

Province of B.C.

New funding will help businesses with vandalism costs and prevention measures

Jul 26, 2023 | 11:27 AM

The B.C. government has announced a new program designed to help small businesses recover some of the costs resulting from crime or vandalism.

The $10.5-million Securing Small Business Rebate Program will be available on an application basis starting this fall, and will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2023. Businesses will be able to apply for as much as $2,000 per business for the cost of repairs due to vandalism, and up to $1,000 for vandalism prevention.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our province and it’s vital we work together to keep our economy strong,” Brenda Bailey, minister of jobs, economic development and innovation, said. “We understand the frustration of business owners taking on the cost of vandalism on their own. We are taking action to support businesses with new funding to provide relief to cover these costs, and make sure we have a thriving business community.”

Prevention measures eligible for funding could include security cameras or gates. The costs of broken glass and graffiti cleaning are eligible under the vandalism repairs criteria.

Information about how businesses can apply for funding is expected to be made available in the fall and communicated through local chambers of commerce, boards of trade and business improvement areas to ensure business owners can get funding as soon as possible.

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Fiona Famulak, president and CEO, BC Chamber of Commerce, said businesses of all types have seen an increase in costs to repair damage caused by vandalism, much of it due to the complex issues that communities across the province are facing.

“Many business owners have invested in preventative measures to protect their assets and maintain a safe environment for staff and customers. The BC Chamber of Commerce welcomes today’s announcement to establish a program to help offset the costs businesses face as a result of property crime,” Famulak said.