By Molly Magennis
A Hobsons Bay grant program is now open for businesses who were hit hard by COVID and unable to trade during lockdowns.
The Hobsons Bay Business Has Heart 2.0 grant program is offering $1,500 quick response grants to individual businesses or up to $5,000 or $10,000 to groups of local businesses looking to reinvigorate their local precinct with a fresh idea.
Following the successful business precinct reactivation and promotion program last year, Hobsons Bay businesses will also again be invited to work together to promote and reinvent the business precincts in the city.
Mayor Hobsons Bay Peter Hemphill said the latest business grants were part of Council’s fifth Community Support Package, which has so far seen $10.8 million injected into the municipality since the start of the pandemic.
“The quick response grants are really about supporting those businesses who have had little or no opportunity to operate during the lockdowns – our health and personal services, recreational, tourism and creative industry traders,” he said.
“It’s about rebuilding and recovering and could be used on a range of services, such as website upgrades, branding, business mentoring or staff upskilling.
“It was really inspiring to see our local traders band together to come up with some unique and innovative ways to encourage local trade and promote some of the wonderful businesses we have here in Hobsons Bay.
“Last time we saw cafes host live music in the street, a pop-up cinema in Williamstown and a campaign to showcase the many faces and places of Altona. It really evoked a sense of pride in our community and I look forward to seeing what great ideas come from this year’s program.”
Applications for the Hobsons Bay Business has Heart grants program can be submitted from February 22 until April 30.
Details: www.hobsonsbaybusiness.com.au/Do-Business/Grants/Hobsons-Bay-Business-has-Heart-Grants-2.0
