As part of the recently announced $20 million COVID-19 Small Business Sustainability and Recovery Assistance Package, I am pleased to announce that Round 2 of the Small Business Continuity Grant program will be opening at 12 noon on Monday, 10 August 2020.
Small business is one of our biggest employers and also one of the sectors hardest hit during the pandemic restrictions and ongoing downturn in trade.
This is why we have allocated a further $2 million to extend this successful program, with grants of $750 available to support eligible small businesses in engaging services of a qualified specialist or consultant to advise them on continuity planning or provide financial advice to assist with business recovery.
Assessment of applications will commence as applications are submitted, and they will be assessed against applicant and project expenditure eligibility in order of receipt. The program will close at 12 noon Monday 7 September 2020 or when available funding has been allocated, with a maximum of 2,666 grants to be awarded under this round.
Businesses which received grants under Round 1 of this program will not be able to apply, however Tasmanian small businesses are encouraged to see whether they are eligible for further supports currently available under the COVID-19 Small Business Sustainability and Recovery Assistance Package, including the competitive Small Business Sustainability and Recovery Grants, which will close on 24 August.
I am pleased this second round of the Small Business Continuity Grants directly addresses the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council’s recommendations in the Interim Report for Government to provide further support for small and medium businesses to access private sector financial/business advice to assist them to adapt, and a round of grants or loans to support businesses transitioning to a sustainable post-COVID operating model.
Importantly, this grant program and the broader $20 million COVID-19 Small Business Sustainability and Recovery Assistance Package now takes the Tasmanian Government’s small business support and stimulus package to more than $80 million, the largest in Tasmanian history.
For further information visit the Business Tasmania website at www.business.tas.gov.au or call 1800 440 026.
More Media Releases from the Minister for Small Business, Hospitality and Events