Small businesses in rural and urban communities can get some funds to protect and repair their property.
The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, along with the BC Chamber of Commerce announced a $10.5 million Small Business Rebate Program, which has launched today.
“We’re hoping that small businesses will apply to repair any damages that may have happened to their business, and there’s an opportunity to apply for preventative funds as well, so you could prevent any further damages if there’s a possibility of that happening.” says Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Tamara Garreau.
Garreau added that in Williams Lake, property crime and vandalism has seen an increase over the last few years, with more purchases of slide down barriers for windows and doors.
A survey was also sent out to business owners in Quesnel, with Chamber Manager, Cathy Somerville saying in a response that there had also been an increase in property crime and vandalism, affecting the cost of doing business.
The reparative rebate will be to offset eligible costs for damages up to $2000 that occurred on January 1st 2023, onward.
Preventative rebate is for proactive/preventative measures to mitigate damage to commercial property of up to $1000.
Both are one-time rebates, and are retroactive to January 1st 2023, through December 31st 2024.
Applications will be able to be submitted until January 31st, 2025.
More information on the rebates can be found on the BC Chamber of Commerce’s website here.
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