In this edition:

• Small Business Support Grant
• Community Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants
• How To Turn Your Website Into Your Hardest Working Employee
• COVID-19 Safe Practice Resource Kit
• Smart City Smart Business Grants

Small Business Support Grant

The NSW small business COVID-19 support grant of up to $10,000 is available to eligible NSW small business owners. To be eligible, businesses will need to:

•  have between 1-19 employees and a turnover of more than $75,000
• a payroll below the NSW Government 2019-20 payroll tax threshold of $900,000 
• have an Australian Business Number as at 1 March 2020, be based in NSW and employ staff as at 1 March 2020 
• be highly impacted by the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 issued on 30 March 2020 
• use the funding for unavoidable business costs such as utilities, overheads, legal costs and financial advice 
• provide appropriate documentation upon application.

Energy Efficient Communities Program - Community Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants 2020

The Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, the Hon Angus Taylor MP, released the guidelines for the Energy Efficient Communities Program - Community Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants 2020 grant opportunity.
 
This grant opportunity will assist businesses and community organisations to improve energy efficiency practices and technologies and to better manage energy consumption to reduce their power bills through:

• energy generation and storage systems
• equipment upgrades that reduce energy consumption
• energy audits

There is an estimated $3.8 million available for this grant opportunity. The grant amount will be up to 100% of eligible project costs, with a minimum grant amount of $1,000 and maximum $12,500. This grant opportunity is for incorporated not-for-profit organisations, i.e. you must have an Australian business number (ABN) and be an incorporated not-for-profit organisation.
There will be a maximum of two projects funded per electorate, with Blaxland, Grayndler and Watson open for applications as of 16 April 2020. Applications close on 18 May 2020. For more information on this grant visit Business.gov.au. 

Live Webinar: How To Turn Your Website Into Your Hardest Working Employee

Western Sydney Business Connection and Brilliant Digital are delivering a free 2 part webinar on April 30 & May 7, for business owners and leaders who want their website to work hard for them and deliver business opportunity to their door. Having a website that captures leads and increases sales is now more important than ever. Presented by Deb Croucher, Brand Strategist & Founder Brilliant Digital the webinar will cover the following:

• Approaching a website build to ensure success
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them
• Big-picture clarity on what works and what doesn’t
• A fool-proof framework for your website structure
• The skill sets required and where they fit into the whole

To register for the webinar visit, Western Sydney Business Connection.

COVID-19 Safe Practice Resource Kit

Communication and clear instructions are vital for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are looking for clear and concise fact sheets, posters and digital banners, visit Health NSW  and Safe Work Australia for downloadable content that you can display or share across your workplace.

Smart City Smart Business Grants

A reminder, Council has allocated a total pool of $250,000 which will be distributed as grants to assist businesses to develop and/or improve their e-commerce capabilities and online marketing. These Smart City Smart Business Grants are being made available through a streamlined application process and will offer dollar for dollar (50%) funding up to a maximum of $2,000, to businesses with a turnover below $5M. 

For more information on how to apply, visit Smart Business Grant or alternatively, email business@cbcity.nsw.gov.au