Grants available to Mackay businesses

Published Tuesday, 21 September, 2021 at 12:28 PM

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development
The Honourable Di Farmer

Sarah Hayles of West of the Waves

Sarah Hayles of West of the Waves

Small businesses in Mackay are being encouraged to see if they’re eligible for grants of up to $30,000.

More than $108 million is already in the pockets of over 12,400 small businesses across Queensland, thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s COVID-19 Business Support Grants.

The program, jointly funded by the Palaszczuk and Commonwealth Governments, provides grants to businesses impacted by Queensland lockdowns.

Minister for Employment and Small Business, Di Farmer, said Mackay and Whitsunday businesses should check to see if they were eligible.

“If your business saw at least a 30% reduction in turnover during the recent Queensland lockdowns, even though places like Mackay weren’t locked down, you could be eligible for a grant,” Minister Farmer said.

Member for Mackay, Julieanne Gilbert, said businesses should get in touch if they have any questions.

“We’ve had fewer than 50 applications from Mackay and we want to make sure businesses know what support is open to them,” Ms Gilbert said.

“Please don’t rule yourself out. You can call our Small Business Hotline with any questions you have.

“Applying is straight forward, with template letters provided to make the process easier. We’ve doubled the number of staff working on the grants which means we’ve already processed thousands of applications.

“I want to be really clear: any eligible business or sole trader in Mackay that applies will receive the grant.”

Sarah Hayles of West of the Waves in North Mackay strongly encouraged other affected businesses to apply for the grant.  

“Lockdown makes people worry about the basics, food and shelter, they stop shopping for clothes and jewellery when they are staying home in their pyjamas,” Sarah said.

“I appreciate this grant so much; it was easy to do and it’s so incredibly helpful to tide me over a period of significantly reduced revenue.”

Ms Gilbert said the COVID-19 Business Support Grants are just one part of the government’s $14.2 billion COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

“The best thing we can do for businesses is ensure our economy is growing, do everything we can to ensure any lockdowns are short and sharp, and keep businesses open and trading,” Ms Gilbert said.

“Here in Queensland, we didn’t have a lockdown that went for longer than three days until very recently. And Queenslanders did an incredible job to stop Delta in its tracks.

“Just like we were the first state to introduce a COVID economic stimulus package last year, we acted quickly again: applications for this support opened just one week after that lockdown ended and the first payments were being made the very next day.

“But we know businesses are feeling the impact of COVID-19 which is why we are providing this support, along with a $10,000 cleaning rebate for COVID exposure sites and nearly $50 million for tourism and hospitality businesses.

“$5,000 Business Basics Grants for regional small businesses are still open to businesses in Mackay but we expect these to close soon, so get your application in now.

“We’ve also recently announced a further $40 million of support for tourism businesses, giving those who’ve seen a 70% reduction in turnover grants of up to $50,000.

“In addition, in the Mackay and Whitsunday area, we’ve provided nearly $6.5 million in COVID-19 Small Business Adaptation Grants, almost $30million in Jobs Support loans, and more than $14.1 million in payroll tax relief.

“There’s also one-on-one support available, through our tailored Mentoring for Growth service, Small Business Financial Counsellors and the Queensland Small Business Commissioner.”

For more information on eligibility and how to apply visit www.business.qld.gov.au/supportgrants or call our 24/7 Small Business Hotline on 1300 654 687.

For more information on Business Basics Grants visit: www.business.qld.gov.au/businessbasics

Image of Sarah Hayles, West of the Waves available here

ENDS

Media contact: Kate Talbot, 0439 803 211

All other enquiries: 1300 654 687