Media Release: West Tamar Council and Bell Bay Aluminium partner to assist local businesses in COVID…

Thursday, 9 July 2020

SUBJECT:

West Tamar Council and Bell Bay Aluminium partner to assist local businesses in COVID recovery

FROM:

Mayor, Christina Holmdahl

DATE:

9th July 2020

The West Tamar Council and Rio Tinto’s Bell Bay Aluminium smelter are pleased to announce a $50,000 partnership to assist businesses in the West Tamar Municipality with recovery from the impact of COVID-19.

Small and medium sized businesses operating within the municipality will be able to apply for a Recovery, Economic and Resilience Grant between $5000-$10,000 by demonstrating how COVID-19 has affected their business and how they will benefit from receiving a grant.

Mayor Christina Holmdahl said that West Tamar Council’s Community Services Department would administer the grant process.

“We run a variety of Community Grant Programs, so we are able to ensure that the generous funding of $50,000 provided by Bell Bay Aluminium will assist our local community in getting back on their feet,” she said.

“So many businesses have struggled due to the lockdown and $5,000 to $10,000 can really provide that boost to get them back up and running.”

The A$50,000 partnership between Bell Bay Aluminium and West Tamar Council is one of a number of  major investments, the smelter is supporting in Northern Tasmania  as part of a US$25 million commitment Rio Tinto has made to support communities around the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery, through its Partnership to Progress program.

Bell Bay Aluminium general manager Shona Markham said being resilient and adaptive in the current economic environment had never been more important for businesses.

“The smelter has had the privilege of operating throughout this pandemic and, while no industry has been spared its impacts, we feel it is very important to be able to support those smaller local businesses in our region who have been impacted by COVID-19,” Shona said.

“I am delighted we are able to support the West Tamar municipality through this partnership with West Tamar Council. It’s our pleasure to assist the community in this way.”

Details on how to apply and the grants process are available on the Grants section of Council’s website at www.wtc.tas.gov.au

Contact:

Kristie Giblin Media Communications Officer – 0437 063 563