Minister for Small Business Jaala Pulford has congratulated business owners across the Mildura region for their resilience and their efforts to rebound and grow.
The Andrews Labor Government has backed businesses in Mildura with $13 million in pandemic grants and support payments over the past 12 months.
Two Black Sheep Café owner Linda Beevers was able to keep her business afloat thanks to $23,000 in grants from the Labor Government's Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package and Licenses Hospitality Venue Fund.
Mildura Brewery manager Daniel Shadlow received a lifeline through two Business Support Fund grants and his team was able to expand its outdoor dining with a parklet provided by the Mildura Rural City Council through Government funding from the Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package in 2020 and a top-up package this year.
Over the past year, the Business Support Fund has provided $2.6 billion to 134,000 businesses across Victoria, including more than 1,400 grants totalling $11.5 million paid to businesses across Mildura Rural City.
More than 50 Mildura businesses will receive the recent Business Cost Assistance Program grant of $2,000.
The popular first round of the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme saw nearly $1 million injected into Mildura businesses as 590 travellers explored the town and surrounds.
Recognising the mental health impacts of the past year on small business owners and their employees, the Labor Government's St John Ambulance Mental Health and Crisis Support Training program has also helped the Mildura business community to increase their support capabilities.
Wendy Davison from Mildura Regional Development was one of 149 participants in the program run across Victoria, which provided accredited training to build capabilities to support the local business community with well-being and mental health challenges.
For more information on the Government's business support program, visit business.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Small Business Jaala Pulford
"It's fantastic to see so many Mildura businesses standing tall and we're proud to have stood with them over the past 12 months."
"Working together means businesses have been able to weather a global storm, and that's a great credit to them, their workers and the wider community."
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp
"It's been inspiring to witness the strength of businesses and workers across the region - I recommend for all Victorians to come and see this beautiful part of the state for themselves."
As stated by Two Black Sheep Café owner Linda Beevers
"We did everything we could to stay open during lockdown, but we were struggling. Without these grants, we don't think the business would have continued to operate."
