Up to $11,000 in payments to be made available to SA businesses under latest round of Business Hardship Grants
The state government has announced cash payments of up to $11,000 will be made available to eligible businesses under the latest round of Hardship Grants.
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A new round of state government Business Hardship Grants will make cash payments of up to $11,000 available to eligible Covid-affected businesses in any industry.
More than $23m in grants will be paid to businesses that have experienced a 50 per cent reduction in turnover when comparing February this year to February 2020.
City businesses will be eligible for $1000 more than those in the suburbs and regions as a way of recognising the added economic burden that has affected the CBD during the pandemic.
Premier Steven Marshall, pictured, said the latest round of grants would bring the total cost of business support announced since December 31 last year – days after density restrictions were tightened – to $158m.
That includes two previous grant rounds and other support measures such as tourism-boosting Great State Vouchers, CBD dining-out vouchers and free public transport during the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
“We are sending a very clear message to local businesses who continue to do it tough – my government has your back,” Mr Marshall said.
“We are delivering on our strong Covid economic recovery plan, which sees SA with the fastest-growing economy in the nation, but we know there’s more work to be done.”
The February round has been designed to recognise and assist the wide range of industries affected by restrictions, such as travel agents and outdoor camp operators – both industries that have suffered with cancellations.
Under the scheme, businesses with an annual turnover exceeding $2m will receive $10,000, or $11,000 if they operate in the CBD.
Businesses with turnover of less than $2m will receive $3000, or $4000 if operating in the CBD.
The funds can be used on expenses, including ongoing operating costs, salaries and rent payments.
Cash grants worth about $73m have been distributed to 8000 businesses since the start of the year.
The details emerged as the state recorded its first day without any Covid-related deaths in almost a month. The last time no deaths were recorded was January 23.
There have been 164 Covid-related deaths recorded in SA.
SA Health on Friday reported a sharp fall in the number of patients in hospital. Last night, 177 patients were being treated in hospital, which was 44 fewer than Thursday. There was a slight rise in daily cases while ICU numbers were stable.
Mr Marshall flagged that dancing, especially at events such as weddings, would be on the agenda at the Covid Ready Committee next week.
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