SEATTLE — Mayor Bruce Harrell announced Tuesday the launch of the Storefront Repair Fund, which “will leverage nearly $2 million of federal funding to repair or reimburse damage to small business storefronts."

Harrell was joined at the press conference by council member Sara Nelson and Markham McIntyre, the director of the Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED).

"We know that when a window is broken, or other forms of vandalism, it can put a business in financial distress, force them to close down to clean up and repair, and impact the business district as a whole," McIntyre said.

The fund is for small businesses affected by vandalism and damages to their brick-and-mortar stores dating back to January 2021.

The city says the funds are in response to concerns from local commerce groups that reported paying for broken windows has become a major burden for Seattle business owners.

“I got my windows broken three times for no reason," said Mark Pinkaow, the owner of Mark Thai Food Box in the University District. "I have a camera, there's nothing you can do about it – they are not afraid of cameras anymore.”

Pinkaow added that he would appreciate financial help from the city to pay for his windows, but he would really like to see a solution to rampant vandalism.

“We just cross our fingers they don’t do it again," he said.

Eligible businesses will receive up to $2,000 for window damage.

Applications for the program will open on October 18 on the OED website.

Our small, brick-and-mortar businesses deserve a break. Not only are they still reeling from lost revenue caused by the pandemic, they’re also victimized by repeated break-ins, arson, vandalism, theft, and acts of violence against workers and customers,” said Councilmember Sara Nelson, Chair of the Economic Development Committee. “As we work to comprehensively improve public safety in Seattle, these grants meet an immediate need brought forward by small businesses in a committee roundtable discussion on the impacts of crime. Reducing the cost burden of replacing destroyed doors and windows is a simple yet meaningful way to support our local small businesses during these difficult times and I thank Mayor Harrell and OED for partnering with me on this effort.

Last week, Harrell announced his budget proposal for 2023-2024.