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Brimbank Business Grants Program Now Open
Victorian Government Business Support
Think. Shop. Buy and Dine Local
Brimbank Localised - List your Business
Deployment of Covid Business Support Officers
Mandatory Use of the Victorian Government QR Code Service
How to Build a Professional Website - Webinar

Council has committed $200,000 to help local start-ups and small businesses to adapt to the impacts of COVID-19 and strengthening their viability.

There are two funding streams in this year's grant program.

Stream One: Start-up Microgrants (up to $2,000 per applicant, with a total pool of $30,000 available)

For new businesses up to 12 months old that operate within Brimbank
To help with common start-up costs, including fees, registrations and equipment
Eligible projects will be funded in the order they are received, until the $30,000 allocation is exhausted.

Stream Two: Small Business Grants (up to $10,000 per applicant, with a total pool of $170,000 available)

For small businesses that are at least 12 months old, that operate within Brimbank
To support adaption to COVID-related challenges, and business growth to expand the local economy
Eligible projects will be awarded on a competitive basis, after applications close, from the $170,000 remaining allocation.

Key dates

Applications open Tuesday 10 August 2021
Applications close Wednesday 4pm 15 September 2021
Applications must be made through the online grant application system SmartyGrants.

Information Sessions (via Zoom) - Register here

Monday 30 August, 5.30-7.30pm
Friday 3 September, 10am-12pm

For further information on the Brimbank Business Grants Program click here.

Business Costs Assistance Program will provide automatic payments of $2,800 to successful recipients of the previous Business Assistance Program round 2.

Small Business COVID Hardship Fund will provide grants of up to $8,000 to small businesses that are not eligible for support under existing programs and have experienced a 70 per cent reduction in turnover.

Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund will provide grants of up to $20,000 to support licensed venues as their operations continue to be impacted by current restrictions.

For further information on financial support available contact Business Victoria on 13 22 15.

COVID Disaster Payments are available to eligible workers who lose hours due to the lockdown, as will businesses that do not qualify for Victorian Government support programs because they are not registered for GST. The COVID-19 Disaster Payment payments will be administered through Services Australia.

Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme and Landlord Hardship Fund will provide support to landlords that provide rent relief for their tenants.

Tenants and landlords can contact the VSBC for further information on 13 87 22 or Victorian Small Business Commission.

Have you listed your business on the Think. Shop. Buy and Dine Local Alpaca Maps?

All businesses in Brimbank are welcome to have their business listed for free on the Map in 20201.

Find out more about the Think. Shop. Buy Local program, and if you’d like to have your business listed, contact the Economic Development Team.

Brimbank.Localised - it’s more than business to business – it’s a business community – it’s letting people know where there is local expertise, local services and local opportunity.

Join us for our monthly Meet-up to network and connect with other local businesses and introduce yourself!

Find out more about Brimbank.Localised and upload your business profile here.

To help you stay COVID safe, and avoid fines Council is about to deploy a team of COVID Business Support Officers to engage with businesses and provide information and support within Brimbank’s shopping strips and commercial precincts.

The new officers are keen to show you how to operate your business in a COVID Safe way and avoid a potential State Government fine of $1,652.

While on-site, they can also explain some free business support available to help you through difficult trading conditions.

Council received a grant from the State Government’s Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, which has enabled the engagement of the Covid Business Support officers. The grant must be spent by the end of November 2021.

For assistance with your COVIDSafe plan or to connect to free expert business advice, email ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au.

The Victorian Government is increasing its COVID compliance within Brimbank. Victorian Government Authorised Officers can issue on-the-spot $1,652 fines to businesses found not using the Victorian Government approved QR Code check-in system.

Ensure the QR code in your business can be seen, accessed and all entering your premises use it to check in.

Use this step-by-step guide on how to use the free Victorian Government QR Code Check-in System here.

You can register your business for free right now here.

Get your free QR Code

Your website is the most important tool you have to communicate to potential customers. With most shoppers researching online prior to purchasing, the standard of your website needs to reflect the quality of the products and services your business offers.

For more information on how you can attract more customers and to register click here

Learn new skills to build your business:

August

12th - Digital Marketing Essentials - Register here
19th - How to Build a Professional Website - Register here
26th - Where to Start with SEO - Register here

September
9th - Social Media Strategy - Register here
15th - eCommerce: How to set up an online store - Register here

Develop your business skills and strengthen your business - for further information click here

Small Business Victoria
A series of webinars to improve business success - for further information click here

ATO: Support for Small Business Webinar
A series of free interactive online webinars presented by experienced tax specialists, where you can ask questions to help you apply the information to your situation - register here

Make sure you’re adhering to the current COVID restrictions

All businesses must have an active, up-to-date COVIDSafe Plan.
Keep accurate records and ensure your staff and visitors register their details for contact tracing.
Every customer-facing business must use the free Victorian Government QR Code Service  to check in customers, workers and all other visitors.
Download and display signage to remind people of the need to check in, and other safety measures.
If you or your workers have even mild COVID symptoms, please get tested.
Visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au for more information or call Business Victoria on 13 22 15. If you need an interpreter, call the coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398 and press 0.

Other COVID Links

Current Restrictions for Melbourne, click here
Book your free vaccine appointment, click here
Case location and outbreaks, click here
Where to get tested, click here
Circuit Breaker Support Package click here
Financial Support for Businesses, click here
Translated information about COVID-19, click here
Businesses need to operate in line with current restrictions, click here
Businesses need a COVID safe plan, click here
Six principles of COVIDSafe workplaces, click here
Victorian Government QR Code Service, click here
Translated information on how to use QR codes here
Free training is available for businesses on infection control, click here
Support and information on how to properly clean businesses, click here
$450 Testing Isolation Payment, click here
$1500 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment (if worker needs to stay home) click here
Information for people with disability, click here
In-language updates can be found here
Health and Wellbeing, click here
Coronavirus.gov.au, click here
Business Victoria, click here
Department of Health and Human Services, click here

For further information about this newsletter please contact the Economic Development Unit on 9249 4000 or email ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au