Storefront Repair Grant Program

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In an effort to support our vibrant small business community in their economic recovery from the pandemic and mitigate financial hardship, the City of Burien has launched the Storefront Repair Grant Program. 

Through federal funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act, small businesses can apply for grant funding of up to $1,000 to help repair storefront property damages to window or door glass that occurred on or after March 3, 2021. Grant funding will help cover costs to repair current property damage or reimburse business owners for costs paid out of pocket for past damages due to vandalism or property crime.

Applications will be received from small businesses until all funding has been spent. The application portal opened on December 19, 2022. 

Jarrett Arakaki at jarakaki@venturesnonprofit.org can assist you if you are having challenges completing the application.

Applicants are encouraged to review eligibility, required documentation, and additional information below before applying. This grant will not cover the loss of stolen goods or cash. For property damages such as graffiti on commercial buildings please visit the City of Burien’s Graffiti Removal Program.

Application Instructions and Required Documentation

  1. Completed grant application (English | Español)
  2. Proof of damage (two out of three of the following items are required in the application):
    • Receipts for repairs completed and/or estimates for current damage
    • Police report incident number
    • Photos of damages to storefront
  3. Completed grant agreement
  4. Completed W-9 form
  5. Completed direct deposit information

Eligibility       

Businesses or nonprofits must:

  • Have a permanent physical storefront location within the city of Burien
  • Have an active Burien business license
  • Have experienced direct economic disruption because of COVID-19
  • Be currently open and active for business
  • Have experienced damage which occurred due to vandalism or break-in by a third party

Applicants are ineligible if they:

  • Are owned or partially owned by an individual or immediate family member who is: a staff member or manager of the grant administrator, City of Burien Councilmember, or a City of Burien employee
  • Are cannabis shops, growers, and dispensaries
  • Are national chain businesses (independently owned franchise businesses are eligible)
  • Have more than 500 employees

Repairs are not required to be complete before funding, but businesses must sign a self-attestation that funding will be used to repair damage.

Timeline

Grant applications will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis until funds have been expended.

  • December 19, 2022: Grant application portal opens
  • January – February 2023: Grant funds will begin to be dispersed 

How is this program funded?

The Storefront Repair Grant Program is made possible by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding provided to the City of Burien from the federal government. ARPA relief is intended to help pandemic economic recovery efforts, including grants and loans to small businesses.

When was this program approved?

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) implementation plan was approved by the Burien City Council on September 12, 2022, including $200,000 for storefront repair grants.

What is the goal of this program?

The City has heard from a significant number of Burien small businesses that vandalism and break-ins that have caused broken windows or broken door glass are creating financial hardships for their businesses. This program is one tool we can offer to help mitigate the economic impacts of these storefront damage events on our vibrant small businesses and support their continued economic recovery from the impacts of the pandemic.

What are the benefits of the program?

The program aims to help small businesses in their recovery from the economic and public health impacts of the pandemic including, but not limited to: mitigating business closures and potential job losses, minimizing blight that can reduce customer traffic and visitor spending, and reducing loss of sales tax revenue generated for City services for businesses and residents.

Is this the first time the City has offered small business grant programs?

No. The City disbursed more than $850,000 in small business grants in 2020 made possible by funding from the federal government via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) to support COVID economic recovery efforts. 

Is a broken lock on my business door eligible for funding?

Only damaged windows or damaged door glass on the storefront of a business building is eligible for funding.

Is a broken window that is not on the storefront of my building eligible for funding?

Only damaged windows or damaged door glass on the storefront of a business building is eligible for funding.

I have already repaired the damage to the storefront window or storefront door glass on my building. Am I eligible to receive funding?

If the damage occurred after March 3, 2021 and it has already been repaired, you are eligible for reimbursement of out-of-pocket repair costs up to $1,000.

The cost of repair to my storefront window or door glass is more than $1,000. How much funding am I eligible for?

If the cost of repair is more than $1,000 the grantee will receive the maximum grant amount of $1,000. If the cost of the repair is less than $1,000 grantees will receive up to the amount of the repair, as attested to by the applicant.

If my insurance paid for the costs of the repairs to my broken window or door glass am I eligible to receive funding?

Funding through the storefront repair grant program may not pay for damages already reimbursed by insurance. Out-of-pocket insurance deductible costs paid by you would be eligible.

Are nonprofits eligible for this funding?

 Yes.

I am a business of more than 15 employees. Am I eligible for funding?

Yes. Independently owned businesses with fewer than 500 employees are eligible for grants.

Are repairs of the storefront broken window or door glass required to be made prior to receiving funding?

No, but the business must sign a self-attestation that funding will be used to make the repair.

What types of proof of damage are accepted?

Acceptable proof of damage include providing two out of three of the following:

  • Receipts for repairs completed and/or estimates for current damage
  • Police Report incident number
  • Photos of damages to storefront

Do I need a Unique Entity Identifier Number (UEI) to apply or to receive funds?

No, a UEI is not required or needed to apply or to receive funds for this program.

My business has experienced this type of vandalism a couple of times during the identified timeline. Do I combine those costs in my application?

No, there will be a box to check if you have experienced vandalism multiple times and the grant administrator will follow up with you regarding filing an application for those occasions.

When will grant funding be disbursed?

Grant funding will begin to be disbursed in January/February of 2023. The grant program will be open to applications until the end of 2023 or until funding is exhausted, whichever comes first.

I am having challenges filling out the grant application. Who can I contact for help?

Please contact Jarrett Arakaki at jarakaki@venturesnonprofit.org

 

Updated December 19, 2022