Wednesday, 3 June 2020
$2 million in grants provided so far to local businesses
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today welcomed the extension of applications for the State Government’s COVID-19 small business support program, which provides grants of up to $10,000 for business significantly impacted by the pandemic.
Local businesses now have until the end of the month to access the program, which Mr Marshall said had already provided $2,050,524 in cash payments to 206 small businesses across the region.
“Off the back of the economic downturn caused by the drought and bushfires, COVID-19 has the potential to be the death knell of many of our region’s small businesses,” Mr Marshall said.
“The Small Business Support Fund has been a life-line for many operators, with grants of up to $10,000 provided to cover unavoidable expenses like utilities, rates and supplier costs.
“I’m really pleased this fund has had such a high take-up so far and urge business owners who haven’t applied yet to contact Service NSW to access this support before 30 June.
“Our economy can’t recover without small businesses employing locals and providing the quality eateries and retail opportunities which attract visitor dollars to town.
Mr Marshall encouraged businesses in the Gwydir Shire in particular, to make the most of the program’s extension.
“To date, there have been no applications lodged for COVID-19 Small Business Support Grants from businesses in the Gwydir Shire,” he said.
“Knowing how bad that area was impacted by the drought, I know there must be businesses around Warialda and Bingara who are only just hanging in there, and who could use this money to keep their doors open while the visitor economy gets back up and running.”
Under the program’s guidelines, businesses must have experienced at least 75% decline in turnover compared to the same two-week period in 2019 due to COVID-19.
Mr Marshall said, however, special consideration was being given to businesses which were already experiencing a downturn from the drought, which is why so many locals had already been able to access the grants.
“The criteria was also recently extended to provide support for eligible microbreweries, cellar doors and events businesses, meaning even more businesses are able to access the support measure,” he said.
The criteria for the Small Business Support Fund grants and online application form is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-small-business-covid-19-support-grant
Applications must be received by 11.59pm on 30 June.
The details of support provided so far to local business, as of yesterday, 2 June 2020:
LGA Number of businesses supported Amount disbursed
Armidale Regional 91 $908,524
Glen Innes Severn 20 $193,000
Inverell 47 $469,000
Moree Plains 40 $400,000
Uralla 8 $80,000
Total 206 $2,050,524