As we know full well, BC’s economy is heavily reliant on small enterprises. The province has initiated the Securing Small Business Rebate Program in order to receive assistance from them during difficult times.
Since posting this article, we have also been asked about the distinction between the new grant and the Yaletown BIA Security Grant. To clarify this, we reached out to the YBIA for their insights. Annette, the Executive Director at YBIA, shared the following:
“…Our grant is for new work, and for hardware only (cameras, gates etc). The new BC grant does allow for retroactive payments for hardware installation and for broken glass etc as long as a police report has been filed.”
Key Information:
Purpose of the Program:
- The purpose of this program is to provide assistance to small businesses that are dealing with increased costs as a result of crimes such as vandalism.
- Not only does the program intend to repair the damage, but it also intends to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Financial Details:
- For the purpose of this program, the government has allotted a total of $10.5 million.
- For expenses incurred after January 1, 2023, eligible businesses have the opportunity to seek reimbursement of up to $2,000 for repairs and up to $1,000 for preventative measures against future damages.
Stakeholder Perspectives:
- Brenda Bailey, the Minister of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation, emphasizes the significance of the program in terms of bolstering the economy.
- Carol Lee, owner of Chinatown BBQ, believes that this program will be extremely beneficial to businesses dealing with similar issues.
Qualifying Expenditures:
- It is possible that you could get reimbursed for the money you spent on security measures like gates and cameras.
- Expenses that are associated with the removal of graffiti or the repair of property that has been vandalized.
Application Process and Information Dissemination:
- Using local business support organizations, the government intends to disseminate information regarding the application process.
- The goal of these efforts is to ensure that businesses have prompt access to assistance.
Community Response:
According to Fiona Famulak, president and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, this program is a significant step toward providing assistance to businesses that have been impacted by property crime.
Broader Objectives:
Aside from financial assistance, the program is aligned with broader initiatives aimed at promoting community safety and a healthy economy. This program demonstrates the government’s dedication to assisting small businesses and strengthening communities.
Areti stands with the business community and encourages eligible businesses to investigate this opportunity for support and resilience. The program application portal is now open and worth checking out.
