City of Burien Storefront Repair Grant Program for Small Businesses in Washington

The City of Burien, Washington has established the Storefront Repair Grant Program to support small businesses and nonprofit organizations that have suffered physical storefront damage as a result of vandalism or property crime. This initiative is funded by the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and was approved by the Burien City Council as part of a broader ARPA implementation plan on September 12, 2022. A total of $200,000 was allocated specifically to assist businesses with the cost of repairing or replacing damaged window or door glass. This program aims to mitigate the economic impacts caused by such incidents and to further Burien’s broader strategy of supporting local businesses in their post-pandemic economic recovery. The program offers grant awards of up to $1,000 to eligible small businesses or nonprofits. The funding can either be used to reimburse business owners who have already covered these repair costs out of pocket or to assist with current repairs that have not yet been completed. In either scenario, recipients must attest that the funds will be used solely to repair storefront glass damage resulting from acts of vandalism or break-ins by third parties. Damages must have occurred on or after March 3, 2021, to be eligible. The grant does not cover other types of property damage such as graffiti or loss of stolen goods or cash. To qualify, applicants must meet several criteria: they must operate a business or nonprofit with a physical storefront located within the City of Burien, possess an active Burien business license, be currently open and operational, and demonstrate economic disruption caused by COVID-19. Businesses must also provide evidence that the damage was caused by a third party. Entities excluded from eligibility include national chain businesses (though independently owned franchises may apply), cannabis businesses, and those owned by individuals affiliated with the City of Burien government. Businesses with more than 500 employees are also ineligible. The grant application process is rolling and will remain open until the total funding allocation has been expended. The application portal became available on December 19, 2022. Applicants must submit a completed application along with two of the following three types of damage verification: receipts or estimates, police incident number, or photographic evidence. Additionally, a W-9 form, direct deposit information, and a signed grant agreement are required for disbursement. The program does not require that the repairs be completed prior to receiving the funds, but a self-attestation confirming use of funds for repair is mandatory. This grant is intended to serve a specific segment of the local business ecosystem and plays a role in reducing financial burdens associated with crime-related storefront damage. By supporting business continuity and minimizing visual blight, the program also aims to maintain customer traffic, prevent potential closures, and safeguard local employment and sales tax revenues. Businesses impacted multiple times during the eligible period may be eligible to submit more than one application, pending follow-up by grant administrators. For questions or technical support related to the application, the City of Burien’s Economic Development Team can be contacted via email at economicdevelopment@burienwa.gov. The team is available to assist applicants experiencing difficulties in completing the required documentation. The City of Burien continues to position this grant program as a resource within a broader ecosystem of recovery efforts, including earlier disbursements of over $850,000 in small business grants funded through the CARES Act in 2020.