City to provide $500K to local businesses to repair smashed windows

A broken window on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton.

The city is expanding financial support to businesses across the city to repair broken windows.

"Damaged windows can significantly impact the curb appeal and, ultimately, the success of local businesses," the city said in a Friday news release.

Edmonton had previously provided $167,500 and $60,000 respectively to the Old Strathcona Business Association (OSBA) and Alberta Avenue Business Association (AABA) to create their own window repair programs.

Now funding will be provided to business improvement associations in 124 Street, Beverly, Chinatown, Downtown, Fort Road, French Quarter, Kingsway, North Edge, Northwest Industrial, Stony Plain Road, and Crossroads.

The city has allocated $500,000 for the program, which covers 50 per cent of costs for eligible repairs, up to a maximum of $2,500.

About half of the funding has already been disbursed to local businesses, and the city says the program will run until all the funding has been handed out.

OSBA and AABA will not be eligible for additional funding until they use the money that was previously allotted to them.

More information on how to apply for the program is available on the city's website.

The city also provides a storefront improvement and development incentive program, along with assistance with cleaning and graffiti removal.