Vancouver: The B.C. government has announced a program to support small businesses in the province, which have been a victim of crime and vandalism.
The province said, “New $10.5-million Securing Small Business Rebate Program will help prevent further crime and will be available on application basis and retroactive to January 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.”
In a press release, the province said this assistance will be provided to small businesses to recover expenses incurred after experiencing property damage due to crime and vandalism.
The province will also help small businesses to recoup expenses after taking measures to prevent vandalism.
According to the B.C. government, 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.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our province and it is vital we work together to keep our economy strong,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation.
“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.”