Councils and local chambers of commerce across the state can apply for grant funding for 2020 NSW Small Business Month festival program.
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They can apply for up to $2,000 to run activities in their local communities as part of the program.
The fourth annual NSW Small Business Month will be held in October, with events to be a combination of online and offline activities, so long as they are COVID-19 safe and adhere to the NSW Health physical distancing guidelines.
This could include limiting the number of people in a venue (as of October 2020), attendees at events remaining seated, hand sanitizer at all events, registration of all attendees and preparing and adhering to a COVID-safe plan.
Finance and Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope said the program would support regional enterprises to grow their businesses.
"Businesses in regional NSW have been hit by drought, bushfires and now COVID-19 and this program gives small businesses across the state to connect with other businesses and agencies," Mr Tudehope said.
The Government has made available up to $640,000 in funding for the grants this year for more than 190 local chambers of commerce and 128 councils in NSW to access and put on events and online activities. Funding will be allocated on a first come first served basis, with applications open until 31 August 2020 or until grant funding is exhausted.
Mr Tudehope said this year's festival activities were designed to help small business owners to get online, adapt their business practices and engage with other organisations.
"2020 has already seen unprecedented challenges in NSW and small businesses have been greatly impacted. The festival themes include how to manage disruption, future planning, getting your business online, as well as learning all the latest marketing and social media tips.
"It is also about recognising the 785,000 small to medium-sized businesses that represent 41 per cent of the state's private sector workforce that drive our economy."
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock urged councils and local chambers of commerce across the state to apply for the grants.
"These grants have been designed to enable local councils and local chambers of commerce to run a range of activities that would be both beneficial and supportive to their local small business community," Mrs Hancock said.
"The NSW Small Business Month team will contact each local council and chamber of commerce directly to give guidance and support when applying for the grants."
Business NSW CEO Stephen Cartwright said the grant funding would support the hosting of events in local government areas.
"I would encourage all the local chambers of commerce that operate in every region of NSW to relish in this opportunity to promote local small businesses and apply for this grant," Mr Cartwright said.
"It's hoped that chambers will work together, and in collaboration with their local councils, on opportunities to shine a spotlight on the importance of small businesses to their region during Small Business Month."
NSW Small Business Month is designed to support small and medium businesses with a wide range of free activities held by both government partners and corporate collaborators.
Online activities will be available through webinars, podcasts and other virtual platforms.
For more information on the grant application process, visit the NSW Small Business Month website businessmonth.nsw.gov.au or contact the team at smallbusiness.month@treasury.nsw.gov.au or (02) 4908 4886.
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