Bass Coast Shire Council's Business and Community Resilience Grants Program is now open following endorsement by Council at the May Ordinary Meeting.
This Grants Program has been created in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to help businesses and not-for-profit organisations in Bass Coast recover from the impacts restrictions have had on the community.
Businesses and not-for-profit community organisations can apply for grants of between $1,000 and $30,000 for projects and initiatives that will allow them and our community to adapt and recover from the pandemic.
The Grants Program is part of an initial Relief and Recovery Package worth $960,000, which was endorsed by Council in April, with $700,000 made available to form this Grants Program.
Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari, was pleased to see this Program come to fruition in a short space of time and is looking forward to seeing some great ideas from the community.
"We have a really resilient community here in Bass Coast and we've shown how we can work together to stop the spread and keep each other safe," Cr Tessari said.
"I look forward to seeing the great initiatives that our community come up with, to help it recover and come back stronger than ever."
The Grants Program has been guided by the Bass Coast Community Leadership Recovery Group which is made up of a diverse range of community members, from across the Shire.
Cr Tessari thanked the 30 business and community members who had been involved in the Group to date and recognised their ongoing commitment to their community.
"It's fantastic to see so many passionate leaders in our community come together to collaborate with Council towards a common goal. This is truly a community-led initiative that we are all proud to be part of," Cr Tessari said.
"My fellow Councillors and I appreciate everyone's input to help guide this Program, so we can see the best outcomes for our community."
The Grants Program opens for applications on Monday, 25 May with the first round closing on Friday, 6 June. From Monday, guidelines and application forms will be available on Council's website at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/resiliencegrants.
