City Offers Support to Small Businesses Impacted by Vandalism — City of Albuquerque – City of Albuquerque (.gov)

Report on the City of Albuquerque’s Small Business Vandalism Relief Initiative and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction and Program Overview

The City of Albuquerque has initiated a new round of its Window Grant program, a strategic financial assistance initiative designed to support small businesses affected by vandalism. This program represents a collaborative effort between the Economic Development Department, the Health, Housing & Homelessness Department, and the Albuquerque Police Department (APD). The primary objective is to mitigate the financial impact of property damage on local enterprises, thereby fostering a resilient and secure business environment. This initiative directly supports several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting economic stability, urban safety, and institutional collaboration.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Window Grant program is strategically aligned with the following SDGs:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By providing direct financial aid to small businesses, the city helps preserve jobs and ensures operational continuity. This support is crucial for sustaining local economic growth and protecting the livelihoods that small enterprises provide.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The program enhances urban safety and resilience by helping businesses recover from crime. The additional funding for “green” glass promotes sustainable infrastructure, while the focus on security glass contributes to creating safer community spaces.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Priority is given to businesses located in designated “Pockets of Poverty,” directly addressing economic disparities and ensuring that support reaches the most vulnerable segments of the business community.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The partnership between multiple city departments exemplifies effective and accountable institutions working in concert. The requirement for a police report and a mandatory security survey integrates crime prevention and justice into the economic recovery process.

Program Financials and Sustainable Incentives

The grant’s financial structure is designed to provide substantial relief while encouraging sustainable and secure practices.

1. Base Reimbursement: The grant covers up to 80% of the cost for window replacement or repair.
2. Maximum Base Award: The maximum reimbursement per business is capped at $3,000.
3. Sustainability and Security Bonus: An additional $1,000 is available for projects that utilize environmentally sustainable “green” glass or enhanced security glass. This incentive directly supports the objectives of SDG 11 by encouraging investment in resilient and eco-friendly infrastructure.
4. Total Potential Award: Eligible businesses may receive a total reimbursement of up to $4,000.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

To ensure targeted and effective aid, the program has established specific eligibility criteria and application protocols.

Eligible Entities

• Brick-and-mortar businesses with 25 or fewer employees.
• 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations.
• Educational entities located within Albuquerque city limits.

Application Process

1. The incident of vandalism must have occurred on or after July 1, 2025.
2. Applicants must submit an official police report documenting the incident.
3. Timestamped photographs of both the damage and the completed repairs are required.
4. Participation in a mandatory APD Business Crime Prevention Security Survey is required, reinforcing the program’s alignment with SDG 16 by promoting proactive security measures.

Stakeholder Impact and Program Continuity

Feedback from recipients of previous grant cycles, including the Glass Replacement Program (2020) and the Window to Opportunity Grant (2024), indicates a significant positive impact. Beneficiaries such as nonprofits and small business owners have reported that the financial support was critical for their recovery and continued service to the community. This continuity demonstrates the city’s long-term commitment to fostering a supportive business ecosystem that is economically viable, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable, in line with global development objectives.

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The article focuses on providing financial support to small businesses, which are critical for local economic growth and employment. The grant program’s goal is to help businesses “recover faster and get back to business” after incidents of vandalism, thereby protecting jobs and ensuring economic stability. The support for “brick-and-mortar businesses with 25 or fewer employees” directly contributes to the resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The initiative aims to make Albuquerque a “safe and supportive place to do business.” By addressing the impacts of crime like vandalism and requiring applicants to participate in a “Business Crime Prevention Security Survey,” the program directly contributes to creating safer and more resilient urban environments.

SDG 1: No Poverty

• The program explicitly targets poverty by giving priority to “businesses located in Pockets of Poverty.” This demonstrates a direct effort to channel resources to economically disadvantaged areas, helping businesses in these locations to survive financial shocks, which in turn supports the local economy and prevents job losses among vulnerable populations.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The program is a partnership between multiple city departments, including the Economic Development Department, Health, Housing & Homelessness Department, and the Albuquerque Police Department (APD). This collaboration exemplifies effective and accountable institutions working together to respond to community needs and address crime. The requirement of a police report and a security survey reinforces the link to justice and crime prevention systems.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The grant offers an additional “$1,000… for projects that incorporate environmentally sustainable ‘green’ glass.” This financial incentive encourages small businesses to adopt sustainable practices and materials, promoting more responsible consumption and production patterns at the local level.

2. Specific SDG Targets

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.3: “Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.” The window grant program is a direct financial service designed to support the resilience and continued operation of small enterprises.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.7: “By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…” While the program focuses on private businesses, its goal of making the city a “safe… place to do business” and its link to the APD’s crime prevention survey contribute to the overall safety of the urban community.

SDG 1: No Poverty

• Target 1.4: “By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources…” The grant provides access to financial (economic) resources and specifically prioritizes businesses in “Pockets of Poverty,” directly aligning with this target’s focus on the poor and vulnerable.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” Vandalism is a form of property crime and violence. The program addresses its consequences and links to a police security survey, which is a preventive measure aimed at reducing future incidents.
• Target 16.6: “Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.” The program demonstrates a responsive and collaborative local government, with clear eligibility criteria and an online application process, showcasing an effective and transparent institutional response to a community problem.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.7: “Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.” Although not a procurement program, the grant uses public funds to incentivize sustainable choices (“environmentally sustainable ‘green’ glass”) by private businesses, aligning with the spirit of this target.

3. Mentioned or Implied Indicators

• Number of small businesses and nonprofits assisted: The article mentions several businesses that have received funding, implying that the number of beneficiaries is a key metric for success.
• Amount of financial assistance disbursed: The grant specifies reimbursement amounts (up to $3,000 or $4,000), indicating that the total funds distributed would be a measure of the program’s scale.
• Number of businesses in “Pockets of Poverty” receiving grants: The prioritization of these areas implies that tracking the number of grants awarded to businesses within them is an important indicator of meeting the program’s equity goals.
• Number of businesses installing sustainable or security glass: The specific additional funding for “green” or security glass suggests that the uptake of these options is a tracked outcome.
• Number of businesses completing the APD Business Crime Prevention Security Survey: Participation is mandatory, making this a clear process indicator for the program’s crime prevention component.
• Qualitative testimonials from business owners: The article includes multiple quotes from grant recipients expressing gratitude and the positive impact of the program, serving as a qualitative indicator of its effectiveness and value to the community.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cabq.gov