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Las Vegas RDA approves $100,000 security grant program for small businesses affected by construction and theft
Summary
The Redevelopment Agency authorized a $100,000 special revenue fund to provide up to 20 grants of $5,000 each for small businesses in redevelopment areas 1 and 2 affected by roadway projects or property theft; staff said awards will generally be reimbursed and require proof of incident.
The Redevelopment Agency of the City of Las Vegas approved a $100,000 security grant incentive program Wednesday to support small businesses affected by roadway improvement projects and property theft.
The program, proposed by agency staff, would create a Redevelopment Agency special revenue fund to make up to 20 individual grants of up to $5,000 each for eligible businesses in redevelopment areas 1 and 2. Agency staff said the program is designed to help businesses upgrade security after incidents such as break-ins, copper theft, or to mitigate impacts from adjacent roadway construction.
Dina Babsky, director of economic and urban development, told the agency the RDA previously used ARPA funds for a security program that awarded larger grants and was “very, very successful,” and that staff revised the program to align with the Nevada Revised Statutes governing RDA activity. Babsky said eligible uses would include permanent fencing, security camera upgrades, exterior lighting, locks and enclosures to protect HVAC or copper components.
Babsky said the program will generally operate on a reimbursement model requiring applicants to supply evidence of the incident — a police report, insurance claim, or video — and, for construction impacts, documentation that the business frontage was affected during the project work and aligned timelines. "Currently, the program guideline reads on reimbursement basis," she said, but staff will evaluate options such as invoicing vendors directly to assist businesses that cannot pay upfront.
Council members representing affected wards expressed support and asked staff to explore alternatives to reimbursement. Councilwoman Diaz thanked staff for restoring the program in response to business pleas; Councilwoman Summers Armstrong urged staff to consider allowing the city to pay invoices directly so businesses without upfront funds can obtain equipment immediately.
The agency approved both the establishment of the $100,000 fund and a related resolution authorizing the executive director to approve and issue the grants. Motions were made by Mayor Pro Tem and carried by voice vote; transcript records do not include a roll-call tally.
