Security Assistance For Enterprises (SAFE) Grant Program

The Security Assistance for Enterprises (SAFE) Grant Program is a local government funding initiative administered by the City of Santa Fe through its Office of Economic Development in partnership with the Community Services Department. The program is designed to support small businesses by providing financial assistance for security improvements and recovery efforts related to criminal incidents. It reflects the City’s broader commitment to strengthening commercial districts, enhancing public safety, and promoting economic resilience among locally owned enterprises. The primary purpose of the SAFE program is to help small businesses prevent crime, recover from incidents such as vandalism or break-ins, and implement proactive safety measures. Funding supports a wide range of eligible activities, including property repair following criminal damage, installation of security equipment such as cameras and alarm systems, improvements to lighting and access control, and environmental design enhancements that increase visibility and deter criminal activity. The program also allows for certain beautification improvements that contribute to safety, although these are subject to funding limitations and partial cost coverage requirements. Grants are structured as reimbursement-based awards, meaning applicants must incur eligible expenses and provide documentation such as invoices, receipts, and proof of payment. Individual awards are capped at $5,000 per incident, and businesses may receive multiple awards for separate qualifying incidents until program funds are exhausted. Approximately $210,000 in total funding is available for the program. Funds are restricted to hard costs such as materials, fixtures, and equipment, while labor, personnel costs, and routine operating expenses are not eligible. Additional exclusions include inventory replacement, lost revenue, rent, utilities, legal fees, and expenses covered by insurance or other public funding sources. Eligibility is limited to small businesses located within the City of Santa Fe that meet specific criteria. Applicants must hold a valid city business license and state registration, operate a customer-facing business with 50 or fewer employees, and be in good financial standing. Businesses must also demonstrate legal occupancy of their location and compliance with city requirements. For reimbursement requests, applicants must provide a police report documenting the incident. Additionally, all applicants are required to participate in a free site security assessment conducted by the Santa Fe Police Department and engage with the Business Watch program. The application process is conducted online and operates on a rolling basis aligned with the City’s fiscal year. Applications are reviewed as they are received, and funding remains available until all allocated funds are expended or the program ends at the close of the fiscal year on June 30, 2027. Applicants must submit required documentation depending on whether they are applying for recovery or preventative improvements, including invoices, estimates, photos, and supporting materials. Approved applicants must complete additional administrative steps, including submission of a W9 form and vendor registration, before reimbursement is issued. Applications are evaluated through a two-step process. First, submissions undergo an eligibility and completeness review to ensure compliance with program requirements. Eligible applications are then scored based on criteria such as project clarity, safety impact, return on public investment, business and community benefit, and quality of documentation. Additional considerations may be given to projects that incorporate sustainable materials, support local businesses, or demonstrate broader community impact. The SAFE program includes a reporting requirement for awarded businesses, which must submit a brief impact report approximately three months after receiving reimbursement. Program administration involves coordination between multiple city departments, including the Office of Economic Development, the Community Services Department, and the Santa Fe Police Department. Applicants can seek assistance or additional information through designated program contacts, including staff within the Office of Economic Development and the project manager responsible for program coordination.

Ensure strong documentation and clearly demonstrate safety impact, feasibility, and community benefit aligned with evaluation scoring criteria.