Bunbury councillors to vote on proposed $100K business support plan

Bunbury city councillors will next week vote on a $100,000 support package which would provide a lifeline to local businesses struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. The proposed Bunbury Small Business Support Program and Bunbury Business and Industry Organisation Support Program would allow small businesses to apply for grants of up to $3500 and business associations to apply for up to $5000 to increase capabilities to help in their recovery. Mayor Gary Brennan said during the past five weeks council staff had surveyed 175 Bunbury business owners and managers across a number of sectors to gauge where help was needed. The council’s Local Recovery Coordination Working Group — which consists of officers, executives and elected members — then met and a report was put to the council at Tuesday night’s briefing, with the executive recommendation being to allocate $100,000 to the programs. The report outlined four key areas the grants would support — online and e-commerce, capital works and store front improvements, business model adaptation and training and professional development. “The grants will deliver direct financial support to local organisations to innovate, adapt and foster business continuity and increase capabilities to assist with economic recovery in the form of a one-off grant,” it read. Mr Brennan, pictured, said if the motion was passed next week, businesses would be able to apply for the program “immediately,” and if it was “heavily over-subscribed”, the council would look to allocate further funds in the 2021 budget. “Another $200,000 is being considered in the draft, so if it all goes through, it would be about a $300,000 support package,” he said. Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Mark Seaward welcomed the proposal. He said providing businesses with support — particularly with e-commerce — would be of great benefit and $3500 would go a long way in helping small businesses recover. “Helping businesses to operate in the internet world is important, as what has been holding many back has been the required investment in the digital infrastructure,” Mr Seaward said.