Sarah Courtney,Minister for Small Business, Hospitality and Events
The safety and security of Tasmanians is our number one priority as face the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Tasmanian Government recognises the significant impact the unfolding COVID-19 situation and the associated trading restrictions are placing on small businesses.
Throughout this incredibly tough time we are continuing to back small businesses and I thank them for their compliance during this extremely tough period.
So far;
- More than $25 million has been paid in Small Business Emergency Support Grants, with over 10,355 businesses receiving grants of $2,500 to date.
- $20 million has been allocated to provide to those businesses under severe hardship, with 167 grants of $15,000 paid out so far.
- To ensure GPs and pharmacists are able to provide essential primary health care on the frontline, we have paid out 209 grants of $10,000.
- There has also been a strong uptake for the Small Business Continuity Program, with 1,857 grants of $750 paid.
There has also been an unprecedented response from businesses applying for the government’s Business Support Loan Scheme. The Department of State Growth is presently well underway in assessing applications in accordance with the guidelines to ensure eligibility of both applicant and purpose of funding sought, as well as the capacity of the business to repay the loan in the future.
I am actively engaging with the business community, including talking with many of the peak industry representative bodies through a number of roundtables over the past few months to discuss the current state of industry as well as the potential challenges and opportunities ahead.
I have also met regularly with the small and regional chambers of commerce and business associations around Tasmania. These local organisations are playing a vital role in the regional areas, which is why we have allocated $100,000 for grants to assist Regional Chambers of Commerce to respond to the economic impact of COVID-19 on their members and region, and to lay the foundation for recovery. Applications for these grants close 30 April.
This support is just part of the Tasmanian Government’s $985 million Social and Economic Support Package, the most significant business support package in the history of our state. We are committed to working with business and industry to remain resilient and ensure jobs and livelihoods are protected.
While we know there is still more to do to support the thousands of Tasmanian businesses and workers that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to work with Tasmanian businesses through this emergency and into recovery.
