Greater Shepparton City Council's Quick Response Grants pool, to assist local business transition online, will increase from the original $120,000 to $170,000 after a $50,000 increase was applied this week.
The Quick Response Grants were introduced as one of 21 measures announced in Council's $1.5M Stage 1 Economic Response to COVID-19 Package.
The grants of up to $3,000 aim to assist local small-to-medium sized businesses move to e-commerce or online activity to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recently, Council highlighted Stellar Coffee, GB Coffee and Riverside Gardens as three businesses that had been successful under the program, and have begun to use their grant to improve and develop websites, social media and apps.
The rise in the grant pool is in response to the high demand for assistance under the grants which has already seen more than 35 local businesses successful in obtaining funding, as local operators attempt to be flexible and agile in the current climate.
Council Director Sustainable Development Geraldine Christou said Council was pleased to be able to continue to support local business during this time.
"Already, we have seen a wide range of businesses apply for and obtain Quick Response Grants," she said.
"The program will not only assist businesses in operating while restrictions are in place, but will help them thrive in the recovery phase of the COVID-19 emergency and beyond.
"We understand some businesses in our community are doing it tough at the moment. Council will continue to support local business wherever possible, to ensure Greater Shepparton can make it through this pandemic as strongly as possible."
