Business Assistance Program

Business Assistance Program.png

Have you got a great idea for your business? Perhaps you are looking to upskill staff or implement a succession plan? Maybe you want to invest in our municipality and you’re unsure on how to take the first steps?

The Business Assistance Program is being established in 2020 to provide funding and officer support to existing and new businesses in the Horsham Rural City Council.

The program supports business skills development, provision of professional services, support through the regulatory process and other one to one in-kind support.

  • Attract and assist new business to establish in the Horsham Rural City Council
  • Support existing businesses to build business management capacity
  • Encourage and assist existing business to undertake initiatives to expand, diversify or ensure sustainability
  • Support and facilitate workforce attraction and retention initiatives
  • Capitalise on opportunities and address identified challenges specific to industry sectors and the Horsham Rural City Council.

Register your interest 

How it works

Mentoring Services (stream one)

Funding assistance provided to successful applicants via the program is capped at $300 on a 3 for 1 basis. Applicants fund an initial mentoring assessment (to the value of $100) and Council can then fund any follow up sessions to the capped amount of $300 per applicant.

Professional Development (Stream two)

Have you something in mind? Talk to us and we could tailor a program to suit.

Council may consider covering or contributing to the cost of accessing professional services, with the objective of assisting to build capacity and resilience in your business. Types of professional services which would be considered under the program include, but are not limited to:

  • Business Planning
  • Marketing plans/strategies
  • Franchise advice
  • Specialised training and workshops
  • Other professional services may be considered in consultation with the applicant.

In-kind support

One-to-one support from the Economic Development Unit is available to assist you in navigating your way through statutory requirements associated with your business. We can connect you with other Council departments including Planning, Building, Health and Local Laws and work with you to guide you through the process.

Small business financial counselling

For businesses experiencing financial challenges, a free ongoing support service is also available.  Small Business financial counsellors can help you prepare budgets and cashflows, assist in identifying business options and develop a plan of action, as well as helping you navigate government income assistance opportunities.  Small Business financial counsellors also support you as you seek to plan for the future.

Rural Financial Counselling Service website

Eligibility

The program is available to: 

  • Existing businesses in the Horsham Rural City Council to expand, diversify or undertake initiatives to ensure sustainability
  • New businesses to establish in the Horsham Rural City Council

Timing

The Program will open in February 2020.

Questions

Contact Council’s Economic Development unit to discuss your existing or new business to determine which component of the program will best support your business.

All applications will be considered on a case by case basis and all discussions are strictly confidential.

(03) 53829777

business@hrcc.vic.gov.au

 

 

Take the first step

Register your interest

Closes 31 March

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