THE Belmont Business Enterprise Centre has received a $100,000 grant from the federal government to assist small businesses affected by recent natural disasters across Australia.
The centre is one of 25 not-for-profit business advisory organisations that received a total of $2.5 million worth of government funding under the Small Business Advisory Services – National Disaster Assistance program.
The program was set up to provide nationwide support to small businesses directly or indirectly affected by the natural disasters that occurred in Australia since October last year.
The centre will provide the national assistance virtually through 'My Business Incubator', which will deliver support via one-on-one telephone assistance, email, mentoring through web meetings and group training webinars.
Webinars will be offered to small businesses by the centre in disciplines such as business planning, finance, marketing, e-commerce, HR, websites and social media.
Specialist business advisers will provide all services free or at low cost, with assistance from industry professionals.
Small Business Minister Nick Sherry said the centre was chosen to provide advisory services under the program because of its unique ability to provide its services online.
“No matter where small businesses are located, they will be able to access much needed help if they have been directly or indirectly affected by some of the tragic natural disasters that have occurred across Australia in the last 12 months,” Senator Sherry said.
Centre CEO Carol Hanlon said in the past year the centre serviced more than 1,500 small businesses and presented more than 50 different low- to no-cost workshop and webinar topics.
