Manningham Council has announced additional coronavirus (COVID-19) financial relief initiatives to support small business and community sport organisations.
A new dedicated $140,000 Business Grant program will provide support to local businesses to assist their financial recovery, while winter sporting clubs will be able to apply for rent and fee relief for the upcoming 2021 season.
Trader engagement with more than 600 local businesses has highlighted a need for increased cash flow and the ability to access additional funds. The new grant program will be available to Manningham based businesses to support a range of business operations such as e-commerce activities or promotional campaigns to attract customers.
The rent and fee relief for winter sporting clubs follows Council support during the 2020 sporting season, which included waived rent, fees and utility costs. Club eligibility will be in accordance with Council’s financial hardship criteria.
Manningham Mayor, Cr Andrew Conlon said these financial incentives will help to keep local business and winter sporting organisations afloat in these unprecedented times.
“Council is committed to help local business and sporting organisations make it through the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) and assist in their financial recovery.
“Our local businesses have been impacted by the pandemic and its various restrictions over the past 12 months. We are pleased to extend further support through a dedicated business grants program this year.
“We know many of our sporting clubs experienced financial hardship during the 2020 winter sports season and want to continue to support these groups as they recover in 2021 and embark on this year’s season,” Cr Conlon said.
These initiatives are part of a suite of financial support Council has provided to the Manningham community. To date, Council has provided over $4.62 million in targeted COVID-19 financial relief through a range of initiatives to help our community.
Council endorsed the financial support relief initiatives at its Council meeting on Tuesday 23 February 2021. To view the livestream of this meeting, visit: manningham.vic.gov.au/council-meeting-23-february-2021
Council has an interpreter service that can be reached on 9840 9355 for any resident that would like to call and arrange to speak to someone in their own language about any Manningham Council matter including these financial relief initiatives.
