A relief fund is now available for Nanaimo businesses and commercial property owners affected by vandalism.
Applicants can receive a maximum of $1,000 per claim, and two claims are allowed per calendar year.
The aim is to move quickly to rectify damage or graffiti, since repeated vandalism is reduced if properties are repaired promptly, Kim Smythe, president and chief executive of the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce, said Wednesday.
“The chamber recognizes that there will be some catching up to do to correct some of the damage and graffiti that has not been dealt with until now,” he said. “We hope to get that all caught up in the first month the fund is available.”
The chamber is administering the fund, which was set up after Nanaimo city council voted in October to fund the program up to $50,000 for the first year, followed by $30,000 annually.
Anyone who wants to apply can go to nanaimochamber.bc.ca. A photograph or police report and a completed claim application form are required.
