Council Backs Small Businesses with $20,000 in Funding

Council Backs Small Businesses with $20,000 in Funding

Applications for the third round of Council’s Small Business Fund are now open, offering eligible small businesses (up to 20 employees) and start-ups grants of up to $5,000, with a total of $20,000 to be awarded.

Mayor Cr Susannah Pearse explained “Small businesses play a vital role to the shire’s local economic health, bringing vibrancy to our main streets and contributing to job creation. If you are a start-up bringing new ideas and innovation of products and services to market or an existing business looking to improve your offering, the Small Business Fund may provide the extra cash you need to get your project off the ground.”

The grant can be used for a wide range of business development purposes as outlined in the guidelines and is an initiative of Council’s Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2031 focusing on empowering local businesses.

The grant funding could be used towards:

Business frontage upgrades (e.g., signage and painting – noting in some cases a development application may be required in heritage conversation areas of Moree) Costs associated with trialling a new business concept including renting a vacant shop space Business training or business advisory services (e.g. business planning) Business website costs Promotional campaigns or advertising Other capital infrastructure upgrades associated with business development  Costs associated with staff recruitment or training Business networking events and workshops Payment of Council business fees and charges  Development application charges

Applications will be considered by a panel of community and Council representatives. While a cash co-contribution or in-kind contribution would be considered favourably, it is not mandatory.

Applications are open 25 October 2024 to 29 November 2024 (by 11.59pm) and projects must be able to be completed by 30 June 2025.  You can lodge the completed application:

Mail: PO Box 420, Moree NSW 2400 In Person: Level 2, 30 Heber Street Moree NSW 2400 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

For any enquiries, please contact the Economic Department Team on (02) 6757 3222. Moree Plains Shire Council Small Business Fund Pilot Guidelines  Moree Plains Shire Council Small Business Fund Application Form