02 6499 2222 council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
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Business Activator Grant

Grants for small business participating in the Business Activator Program.

Council has $50,000 to distribute to small businesses participating in the Business Activator program funded by the Australian and NSW governments’ Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.

Grants of either $2,500 or $5,000 are available for any one project through a competitive process.

To be eligible for the Business Activator Grant, your business must:

  • have an ABN
  • be based in the Bega Valley Shire
  • be a sole trader enterprise or have fewer than 20 employees
  • have completed a Business Support Session or Business Health Check as part of the Business Activator Program
  • meet the requirements of the Community Grants Program Applicant Guidelines.

Grant Guidelines

Background:

Council received bushfire recovery funding to deliver the Business Activator program, designed to unify local support for business, deliver skills, capacity training and mentoring opportunities, foster local industry leadership and provide cluster-based industry support.

The Business Activator program seeks to improve the capability and resilience of existing business and assist in the development of new business and industries. The program includes:

  • access to one-on-one mentoring support across a wide range of industries and services
  • a series of targeted workshops and capacity building events
  • networking and collaboration opportunities
  • this grant program.

Overall grant program objectives:-

  • Improve the position and outlook of small businesses
  • Deliver on objectives outlined in the Business Support Session
  • Strengthen the Bega Valley economy
  • Support the development, sustainability and resilience of small business.

For more information on the Business Activator Program visit the website.

Funds available:

Council has $50,000 to distribute to small businesses participating in the Business Activator program funded by the Australian and NSW governments’ Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.

Grants of either $2,500 or $5,000 are available for any one project through a competitive process.

 

Who can I speak to:

Louise Kluit
Grants Administration Officer
Bega Valley Shire Council
Phone: (02) 6499 2222
Email: grantsadmin@begavalley.nsw.gov.au

 

Grant specific criteria/information

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for funding under Council’s Business Activator Grants Program, the business and project must meet the following criteria.

  • Businesses and funded projects need to be located within the Bega Valley Shire
  • Project applications should include current public liability insurance (Certificate of Currency). The insurance shall be for an amount of at least $20,000,000
  • Project applications received after the closing date will not be considered
  • Projects need to be completed by 31 March 2025 with a final report completed within 3 months of this date
  • Funding must be in accordance with goals identified in the Business Support Session
  • Projects need to be SMART – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and able to be delivered in accordance with a timeline.

Projects not eligible for grants

Funding will not be provided for:

  • Purchase of land
  • Day-to-day running costs of the business such as rent, permanent employees, interest and tax payments
  • Engaging on-going permanent employees (contract labour or consultant for the project may be engaged with Council approval)
  • Projects where the bulk of works have already been completed prior to the grant closing date
  • Normal property management.

Examples of eligible projects

  • Professional development for staff to improve their customer service skills
  • Safe work training
  • Forklift licenses for employees
  • Barista training for hospitality workers
  • Refreshing an old website or building a new website
  • Developing an e-commerce platform on a website
  • Building a library of new images or video for marketing purposes
  • Legal advice on changing business structures
  • Accounting advice relating to expansion or diversification.

Eligible costs

Eligible costs include:

  • Training
  • Marketing
  • Financial advice
  • Equipment
  • Website development
  • Legal advice.

Grant Fund Conditions

  • The source of funding for the Business Activator Grants Program is the Australian and NSW Governments’ Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund
  • A maximum funding limit of $5,000 has been established for each project
  • Each organisation approved for funding must comply with the terms and conditions set out in the applicant guidelines and grant offer
  • Further conditions may be set by Council as part of any grant offer
  • Unless otherwise specified in writing, grants are paid in advance and in full to the body with legal and financial responsibility for the project
  • Grantees will sign an agreement, prior to receiving funds
  • Grants must be spent by 31 March 2025 unless otherwise specified. All funding expenditure must be reported to Council, with copies of appropriate receipts. Any surplus funds must be returned to Council within one month of completion of the project. Grants must be used for the purpose stated in the submitted application
  • Written approval is required from Council to change the purpose, amount or time for expenditure of grants
  • If your business does not meet all the requirements, your business may be asked to repay the grant
  • Businesses must provide details of public liability insurance cover
  • Appropriate risk management must be undertaken by the grant recipient, their contractors and staff.

Grant program timeline

 

 

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