Las Cruces lifts caps on storefront repair program

LAS CRUCES — Federal dollars originally intended to aid recovery from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been used in Las Cruces since 2023 to help small businesses repair damage from property crimes such as vandalism.

With American Rescue Plan Act dollars still unspent, the Las Cruces City Council voted Monday to double the individual grant awards available for applicants and to lift a limit on how many times business owners may apply.

ARPA requires allocated funds to be obligated by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026. Monday’s vote did not add any additional funding to the program, which still has nearly $250,000 available.

“By recognizing the ongoing challenges faced by small businesses and the increasing costs of repairs, we recommend increasing the maximum grant amount from $2,500 to $5,000,” Celina Morales, the city’s deputy director of economic development, said as she presented amendments to the program recommended by department staff.

Monday’s amendments also allow businesses to submit multiple applications for separate incidents of damage. For example, Organ Mountain Outfitters, a retail store located in full view of city hall on Main Street downtown, has reported multiple incidents of smashed windows, break-ins and thefts.

In 2023, the council approved the storefront repair program, dedicating $400,000 out of $24 million the city received in ARPA funds “to support the economic recovery of small businesses affected by property damage related to the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The program allowed locally-owned businesses or nonprofits with fewer than 40 employees operating within city limits to apply for up to $2,500 toward storefront repairs.

At the time, then-Police Chief Miguel Dominguez affirmed that commercial burglaries in Las Cruces had increased in a time frame consistent with the pandemic, supporting the use of ARPA funds for the program. Economic development staff said it anticipated the grants would be used to cover deductibles for insurance used to pay for repairs, and that proof of the work was a requirement for receiving funds.

In the years following, the pandemic has receded but the city still contends with complaints from business owners about vandalism, break-ins and defecation at commercial properties, contributing to high volumes of services calls to Las Cruces police.

According to city data, the fund has distributed $152,134 to 89 businesses.

City Councilor Becki Graham remarked that she had encountered “baffling pushback” on the storefront repair program and similar assistance to businesses via social media and messages from city residents.

“These are not the only solutions that the city is offering to help with these ongoing issues,” she said. “We’re doing a myriad of things to address root causes, to address better services and resources.”

The amendment passed unanimously and no one spoke against lifting caps on the program. Donna Stryker, owner of a firearms retail store on a busy commercial strip in Las Cruces, was the one member of the public to comment on the resolution. She thanked councilors for opening up the funds.

“We’ve had over $20,000 worth of damage to our property,” she said. “I’ll be applying for it tomorrow.”