By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and the Seattle Office of Economic Development recently announced the launch of the city’s “Back to Business” program to support small businesses and neighborhoods impacted by vandalism and property damage. Building on the success of the Storefront Repair Fund, the expanded program now offers grants not only for recovery from damage but also for proactive safety improvements aimed at preventing future incidents.
“Every shattered window, broken door, or vandalized storefront isn’t just a repair bill — it’s a real setback for a business owner, an employee’s livelihood, and a neighborhood’s vitality,” said Harrell. “We’re making investments in real solutions because Seattle is open for business, and we will keep it open by fostering a great environment for small businesses. These grants are about more than repairs — they’re about restoring confidence and protecting the vibrancy of the neighborhoods we all love.”
Eric Moss, communications director for the Seattle Office of Economic Development, said the investment couldn’t be timelier, as starting and running a business is especially challenging in today’s economy.
“It is expensive. The cost of running a business is going up every day with the constant goods, supply chains, labor, and the last thing that a business needs is an unexpected expense from a broken window, lock, or door,” said Moss. “This is a way that we see can kind of help alleviate that burden for a small business. This is just one of a bunch of levers that the city is pulling to help alleviate time and costs.”
Qualified small businesses are encouraged to apply for funding, with applications open through December 2025 or until funds run out.
The Back to Business program includes three components:
• Storefront Repair Fund: Provides business owners grants of up to $3,000 per incident to reimburse small business owners for damage caused by vandalism or other property damage.
• Storefront Security Fund: Offers business owners grants of up to $6,000 for preventive security improvements to help reduce future incidents.
• Neighborhood Investments: Allocates funding to Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and other neighborhood organizations identified through Seattle Police Department data for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) improvements to neighborhood-identified businesses.
Eligible businesses must provide receipts or proof of expenses for reimbursement of repairs or approved CPTED-evaluated security improvements.
Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson said the Storefront Repair Fund began as an idea from her second committee meeting in February 2022 and has proven successful through three rounds of funding.
“After three successful rounds, I am thrilled Seattle is building on that work by including funding this time to prevent vandalism as well,” Nelson said.
Many small business owners have seen the benefits of the program firsthand.
“The Storefront Repair Fund provided vital reimbursement for the cost of a vandalized plate glass window,” said Jeffrey Long, Long Brothers Fine & Rare Books. “As a small business owner striving to reinvigorate downtown Seattle, the support ensured that my month remained financially sound.”
The Back to Business program is part of the city’s broader economic recovery strategy and small business support framework. It also reflects Seattle’s ongoing commitment to address challenges faced by local businesses and neighborhoods.
“Our small businesses define our city’s character — they shape our neighborhoods, power our economy, and reflect and enhance our culture. But our small businesses are at a tipping point for survival in Seattle for multiple reasons, from rising costs to public safety issues,” said Markham McIntyre, Seattle Office of Economic Development director. “The city needs to act to ensure small businesses survive and thrive, which is exactly what we are doing by launching this new Back to Business fund to make investments in our small businesses and improve public safety.”
Moss believes the benefits of the program are clear — it helps make neighborhoods more vibrant, attracts visitors, supports local businesses, and encourages more people to live in the area.
“Small businesses are the backbones in some neighborhoods, because they are the places where people come, meet, and gather. In some neighborhoods, small businesses are into traffic, which increases neighborhood safety, and oftentimes small businesses want outdoor lighting, which improves neighborhood safety as well,” said Moss. “So, in all, supporting a small business to be open, secure, and keep their stores running overall prevents neighborhood insecurity, and that is a community benefit.”
From a general standpoint, Moss believes that even small forms of support can make a significant difference for small businesses.
“I work with small businesses across the city, and in my previous job, I worked with small businesses across the state, and there is one thing that I can tell you: Any help that a small business can get can make a difference,” said Moss. “The margins are so tight with some of these businesses that they’re operating on shoestrings, and helping replace a window can be the difference between growing a business or just sustaining a business.”
“The city’s budget for next year has already committed another $800,000 due to the incredible demand in 2025 for another round of funds for the program,” Moss added.
