What do ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions mean for business?
The Victorian Government has announced that Stage 3 ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions will be reinstated across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire from 11:59 on 8 July 2020 to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria. These restrictions will be in place for six weeks and will then be reviewed by the Chief Health Officer.
The return to ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions mean that businesses within metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire such as restaurants, cafes, pubs, gyms, indoor sporting venues, cinemas, live music, entertainment venues and other businesses are either restricted in their operations or can no longer operate.
Here’s our round-up of government grants for business
Business Support Fund Expansion
Do these new restrictions impact on your business? You might be eligible for financial help. Businesses within metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire that are affected by the return to ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions may be eligible for a one-off, $5,000 grant under the Business Support Fund - Expansion program.
Applications for the program close on 19 August 2020. For more information about the one-off $5000 grants and eligibility criteria, visit the Business Victoria website. You can also apply directly from their page. Click here to visit the Business Victoria website.
Tourism Accommodation Support Program
The return to Stage 3 ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire mean residents within these hotspots will have to cancel travel bookings to regional Victoria during the period, placing additional strain on accommodation providers.
Accommodation providers in regional Victoria impacted by these cancellations will be able to apply for direct financial support of up to $225 per booking per night through the new Tourism Accommodation Support Program. Applications will open on July 13. Register your interest here.
Regional Arts Fund Recovery Boost
The Regional Arts Fund Recovery Boost is a $10M targeted measure announced by the Australian Government as part of the Relief and Recovery Fund. It responds to the difficulties experienced by regional artists, arts organisations and communities who have been heavily impacted by COVID-19.
Two streams of funding are open:
1. Relief (up to $5,000): Relief grants are designed to assist regional artists, arts organisations and communities to meet their immediate needs. This could include asset replacement or purchase, support for arts practice (including self-directed residency/research and development), small projects and professional development opportunities.
The RAF Relief program will be open from July 1, 2020 and close September 30, 2020. Applications will be assessed on an ongoing basis. Click here for further information.
2. Recovery (up to $30,000): Recovery grants are designed to meet the medium-term recovery needs of artists, organisations and communities. Projects in this program should focus on activities that assist in recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. Project activities could include creative recovery projects, training programs, operational recovery plans, asset purchase or replacement (up to $5,000) and the development of risk plans and emergency operating procedures and responses.
The RAF Recovery Program will operate as a single competitive funding round. The RAF Recovery program will be open from July 1, 2020 and close November 1, 2020. Click here for more information.
Energy Efficient Communities Program – Small Business Grants
The Energy Efficient Communities Program – Small Business Grants provides small businesses with grants of up to $20,000 to improve their energy efficiency. Grants may be used for equipment and component improvements, energy audits, feasibility studies and/or energy use and emission monitoring.
The grant opportunity is open July 6, 2020 and closes 5.00pm August 26, 2020. Click here for more information.
Find localised grants for your business. It’s easy!
There are hundreds of localised grants available to businesses -if you can find them. The Bendigo Funding Finder offers you a quick and easy way to search 1,146 grants worth $171.6 billion. They can also help you find a grant writer who has the right skills and industry alignment to suit your needs.
The City of Greater Bendigo has partnered with GrantGuru to bring local businesses Australia’s first localised grant finding service. To access this unique service you can visit www.bendigo.grantguru.com.au
We hope you’ve found our round-up of current government grants useful. If you have any questions about what this new round of ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions means for your business, please contact our team for professional advice.
