SMALL BUSINESSES ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR SOUTHERN BORDER GRANT

Eligible NSW small businesses impacted by the closure of the NSW and Victorian border are now benefiting from the $45 million Southern Border Small Business Support Grant program.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the grant would help ease the pressures and costs of keeping businesses open by providing them with much-needed cash flow.

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting small businesses impacted by the border closures and keeping these communities open and operating,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This support will help keep businesses in business and people in jobs and ensure these communities continue to have access to local services and products.”

Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the grant could be used to pay for immediate operating expenses such as utilities, as well as to develop marketing and communication materials.

“We want to help businesses like the local takeaway restaurant and corner shop to keep their lights on and doors open, which is why the grant has two tiers to provide the highest level of support possible,” Mr Tudehope said.

“The first tier is a $5,000 grant for eligible employing and non-employing small businesses, such as non-employing sole traders, that have suffered at least a 30 per cent decline in turnover as a result of the border closure.”

“Meanwhile the second tier is a $10,000 grant for eligible employing small businesses that have suffered at least a 75 per cent decline as a result of the closure.”

Member for Albury Justin Clancy said the grant was available to eligible small businesses in 13 NSW Local Government Areas along the southern border.

“Businesses along the border are doing it tough and communities are suffering from financial and emotional distress,” Mr Clancy said. 

“Already more than 700 businesses have applied for the grants, at a value of over $5 million,” he said.

The Southern Border Small Business Support Grant opened on Tuesday, 8 September and will close Sunday, 18 October 2020.

The grant can only be used for eligible expenses incurred since the closure of the NSW and Victoria border on 8 July 2020 for which no other government support is available.

Eligible LGAs are:

1.    Albury City Council

2.    Balranald Shire Council

3.    Berrigan Shire Council

4.    Bega Valley Shire Council

5.    Edward River Council

6.    Federation Council

7.    Greater Hume Council

8.    Hay Shire Council

9.    Murray River Council

10. Murrumbidgee Council

11. Snowy Monaro Regional Council

12. Snowy Valleys Council

13. Wentworth Shire Council

More information on the new grants is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au/southern-border-small-business-support-grant