The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce welcomes the City of Medicine Hat’s approval of the Downtown Enhancement – Safety Grant Program, a tangible step forward in supporting downtown businesses, improving community safety, and strengthening downtown vibrancy.

Approved by City Council on March 2, the program directly reflects many of the concerns raised by Chamber members and aligns with the Chamber’s ongoing advocacy related to crime prevention, property damage, and community safety impacts on business.

What the Downtown Enhancement Grant Program Includes

The Downtown Enhancement – Safety Grant Program  is designed to help commercial property owners and tenants invest in permanent safety and security improvements. Key program details include:

• A 50 percent matching grant for eligible, pre-tax costs related to permanent security and crime prevention upgrades.
• Funding capped at $5,000 per eligible applicant, supporting projects up to $10,000.
• A minimum application value of $250, representing a $500 total project cost.
• $70,000 in total grant funding available for 2026, offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
• An additional $30,000 committed to downtown cleanliness, delivered through a third-party service agreement.
  

Eligible projects include permanent improvements such as exterior security lighting, fencing, shutters, shatter-proof glass, bars, gates, and security cameras. While not all-inclusive, the City has indicated that other improvements may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Chamber Advocacy: From Member Concerns to Policy Action

This program is the result of consistent and coordinated advocacy requesting this type of program implementation by the Chamber, informed directly by member feedback and real-world business impacts.

The Chamber has continued to elevate concerns around vandalism, theft, safety perceptions, and the cumulative cost of crime on downtown businesses through:

• Participation in roundtables and task force discussions
• Direct communication with affected downtown businesses
• Formal resolutions and recommendations adopted at both the local and provincial level
• Ongoing public updates outlining progress, challenges, and available resources
  

As outlined in the Chamber’s Advocacy Insights posts on Community Safety Concerns and the Impacts on Business and Ongoing Work to Address Concerns Around Downtown, members have consistently identified safety investments and crime prevention infrastructure as critical to business confidence, retention, and reinvestment.

Alignment With Chamber Policy and Provincial Advocacy

The Downtown Enhancement Grant Program also aligns with the Chamber’s provincial policy on Supporting Communities in Managing Crime, Homelessness, and Property Damage which has been adopted by the Alberta Chambers of Commerce.

That policy calls for:

• Dedicated and flexible funding to address local safety needs
• Support for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies
• Financial relief mechanisms to help businesses recover from property damage
• Stronger coordination between municipalities and other orders of government

By introducing a locally administered safety grant, the City of Medicine Hat is taking a proactive approach that reflects both local task force recommendations and Chamber advocacy.

A Step Forward for Downtown Vibrancy

While no single program can address the full complexity of crime, homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges, the Downtown Enhancement Grant represents meaningful progress. It provides businesses with practical tools to improve safety, reinforces shared responsibility between the City and the business community, and supports broader downtown revitalization efforts.

The Chamber will continue to advocate for complementary measures, including sustained funding for downtown patrols, integrated social supports, legislative reforms, and long-term solutions that address root causes while protecting businesses and employees today.

What’s Next

The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce will:

• Share program details and application information with members as they become available with the grant anticipated to launch around mid-April
• Continue gathering feedback from downtown businesses on safety needs
• Advocate for sustainable funding and program expansion where needed
• Work collaboratively with the City, community partners, and other levels of government to advance practical, business-informed solutions.

We thank City Council and administration for responding to community input and look forward to continued collaboration to build a safer, more resilient downtown for businesses, workers, and residents.