The City of Greater Bendigo is pleased to announce the launch of a new Business Grants Fund, valued at $729,000, to help support eligible local businesses with a strong focus on innovation and collaboration.
The Business Grants Fund is part of the City's $2M COVID-19 support package, a key inclusion in this year's Budget.
The fund features a range of initiatives to boost recovery, business capacity and capabilities and create a stronger and more resilient local economy coming out of the pandemic.
The grants range from $2,000 to $15,000 and are open until Thursday, September 23, 2021. As part of the eligibility criteria for the grants, all businesses are required to have an ABN and be a Greater Bendigo business.
Funding will be divided into five streams. Businesses can apply to multiple streams but can only be funded for a maximum of one stream during this funding period.
- Stream one: Planning, Training and Development up to $2,000 per grant
- Stream two: Launchpad up to $5,000 per grant
- Stream three: Innovation and Growth up to $10,000 per grant
- Stream four: Precinct Growth up to $12,500 per grant to foster businesses collaboration
- Stream five: Research and Development up to $15,000
Mayor Cr Dr Jennifer Alden said the funds available were significant to support Greater Bendigo businesses and help them build a stronger future.
"This is a competitive fund open to all eligible businesses and the aim is to build capacity and capability, encourage innovation and collaboration in a challenging environment," Cr Alden said.
"Ensuring our local businesses are strong and vibrant and able to embrace innovation and creativity is the key to driving productivity and delivering more jobs.
"The Business Grants Fund is a key action from the City's Economic Development Strategy - A stronger Greater Bendigo 2030 and is also part of a $2M suite of City initiatives that Council endorsed in this year's Budget, designed to support businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We hope the grants will help to generate long term business sustainability and regional growth."
Applications will be assessed against the criteria in the Business Grants Fund 2021-2022 Guidelines. The outcome of the applications will be announced after October 15, 2021 and grants need to be spent by March 31, 2022.
Applicants are advised to read the fund guidelines carefully before applying for a stream. Head to https://bendigo.vic.gov.au/bgf
