The City of Melbourne has awarded the first tranche of grants as part of its financial support package to help businesses adapt to COVID-19 restrictions.
The $5 million grants program provides financial support for businesses to invest in online and e-commerce capabilities, take part in training and professional development and undertake capital works.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said 36 successful applicants will share in the first $166,000 of funding with the remaining $4.83 million to be allocated as soon as possible.
"This is just the beginning of our investment in Melbourne's business community. Small businesses make up about 80 per cent of the total number of businesses in the City of Melbourne and are run by people and families who have turned an idea or a passion into an enterprise," the Lord Mayor said.
"These businesses play a major role in providing jobs for Melburnians, and right now, they urgently need our support.
"We have received an overwhelming response to this grants program with thousands of small and medium-sized businesses applying for financial support.
"This goes to show that even in tough times, our local businesses are ready to tackle challenges head on, think differently and adapt, which is an admirable spirit we want to reward and support as much as we can."
Highlights from the first batch of successful applicants include:
- A barbeque and wood fired cooking school based at Queen Victoria Market planning to offer online bookings and virtual classes
- A school holiday program planning to deliver virtual school programs to support parents
- An art gallery seeking to introduce virtual exhibitions and online purchasing
- A dumpling restaurant pivoting to take-away and delivery
Chair of the Small Business, Retail and Hospitality portfolio, Councillor Susan Riley said applications have been received from a broad range of industries with hospitality, retail, professional services, education and business services making up the top five.
"There has been an exceptionally high volume of requests and we are working through applications continuously so successful businesses can invest in making changes to keep their services running and people employed," Cr Riley said.
"We have a community of entrepreneurial business owners who want to make changes so they can keep trading in this new environment.
"Undertaking a website upgrade or installing some new equipment could be what is needed to keep operating.
"The strength of our business community will help return our city to a thriving place to do business and these grants will provide crucial funding that will make a difference now, and into the recovery period."
The COVID-19 business grants opened on 26 March 2020 with $5 million in funding available for 200 grants matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 for capital works projects, 400 grants worth up to $5000 for online and e-commerce activities, and 500 grants worth up to $2000 for training and professional development.
The business grants will close at midday on Friday 24 April 2020 melbourne.smartygrants.com.au
