City of Kamloops extends funding agreement which helps businesses after vandalism

Photo: Kristen Holliday

Kamloops city council has approved the extension of a funding agreement put in place to financially assist businesses struck by vandals.

The Vandalism Cleanup Support Grant was launched in August 2021, and allows city businesses to submit up to two applications — receiving up to $500 per incident — to help cover clean up and repair costs after acts of vandalism or graffiti.

At a city council meeting on June 28, Sarah Candido, the city’s external relations liaison, said there have been 41 applicants and 29 reimbursements offered since the program was launched last year, with 12 applications currently in progress.

She said while grant uptake was initially slow, the city saw an increase in applications around January 2022.

“Most of the reimbursements have been in the city's core business districts, and most were for broken glass replacement. The remaining applications are waiting for various paperwork to be turned in such as receipts and photos of damages,” Candido said.

A staff report indicates out of 29 reimbursements, 22 were issued for replacing broken glass in windows or doors.

Out of the 41 total applicants, 25 were located downtown, 12 on the North Shore, five in Sahali, one in Valleyview and another in Dallas.

Candido said the grant — offered through a partnership between the City of Kamloops and the Kamloops and District Chamber of Commerce — was launched with a $50,000 budget, and $17,000 has been expensed so far.

“As of June, there is still approximately $33,000 left in the fund,” Candido said, adding the service agreement was put in place until August 2022.

She said whenever cheques are issued, a representative from the chamber or herself will visit the impacted business to discuss the incident and offer support.

“We've received positive feedback from recipients about that support,” Candido said.

“Given the ongoing impacts of vandalism, the positive results of the grant and the remaining funds in the budget, we are proposing that the vandalism cleanup support grant service agreement be extended to Dec. 31, 2023 or until such time as the $50,000 which was allocated is fully expended.”

Candido said this won’t impact the city’s budget as the funding has already been allocated, but the service agreement would be updated.

She said the chamber has been discussing a strategy to get word of the grant to more businesses.

“The chamber is asking people that if you see a business impacted by vandalism, please remind them that the reimbursement program is available for up to two intakes per business,” Candido said.

Kamloops city council unanimously voted in favour of authorizing staff to renew the funding agreement until Dec. 31, or until all funds are spent.