Melbourne businesses are the lifeblood of our city. To keep Melburnians in jobs and to support city businesses affected by COVID-19, we have announced an initial local economic support package valued at more than $10 million. This support will help businesses and workers affected by the emergency measures, which include social distancing and closure of non-essential businesses. Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood said: ‘We recognise that cash flow management will be a pressing issue for small businesses in the coming weeks and months.’ ‘We’re developing an investment package to provide direct support to businesses.’ The package includes grants for small and medium sized businesses, rent and rate relief, one-on-one advice through our COVID-19 Business Concierge Hotline and much more. We will also host a virtual Business Support Summit to share information about the crisis, the support available from all levels of government, and build resilience, mental health and wellbeing. ‘This Support Summit is about bringing together all levels of government to create a plan of action to support our city’s $100 billion economy,’ Lord Mayor Sally Capp said. ‘Melbourne is facing one of its greatest challenges and our business communities are suffering. It is vital that we all work together and plan a way forward as we tackle a problem which could last for months. ‘We are in constant close contact at both the state and federal levels as the coronavirus situation continues to change. We must continue to cooperate effectively if we are to ride out this crisis.’ COVID-19 Business Concierge Hotline Has your business been affected by coronavirus? To get one-on-one advice and support, call 9658 9658 and press 1 for business. Local businesses play a vital role in Melbourne’s economic prosperity. About 80 per cent of these are small businesses. ‘These are sole operators, family operations and … Continue reading Economic support for city businesses