The Andrews Labor Government is supporting regional Victoria’s recovery from the COVID pandemic by investing in local jobs and stimulating the regional economy.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle today announced $300,000 for a Resilience and Innovation Program for small businesses across Ballarat and the Grampians to be run by Commerce Ballarat.

The allocation is part of a $10 million investment in more than 50 projects through the Government’s Regional Recovery Fund – designed to help businesses thrive after a challenging period.

This $300,000 grant for Commerce Ballarat will fund a program supporting small businesses to adapt to post COVID market conditions. The program will target product and service innovation, marketing and promotion, and workforce and skills attraction. There will also be a focus on training and workforce development, as well as support for structural adjustment to align with COVID normal.

This funding is in addition to the $50,000 grant provided to Commerce Ballarat in late 2020 as part of the Victorian Government’s Grants for Business Chambers and Trader Groups program.

Commerce Ballarat has also received funding through the Victorian Government’s $26 million Wellbeing and Mental Health for Victorian Businesses program to employ a mental health specialist to provide direct support to local businesses.

The Regional Recovery Fund is designed to kickstart regional recovery by investing in locally identified projects that address each region’s unique and immediate socio-economic challenges, with a strong focus on creating jobs.

The fund addresses priorities identified by regional communities and is part of almost $30 billion invested by the Labor Government in regional and rural Victoria since 2015.

Other organisations to receive funding through the Regional Recovery
Fund include Sovereign Hill who received $500,000 Ballarat Regional Tourism who received $100,000 for their Winter Activation and Visitation strategy, and in particular the 1000 Doors Installation due to open in Ballarat’s CBD in August.

Successful projects were identified based on their ability to provide an immediate economic response and assist with recovery efforts while also laying the groundwork for future growth.

Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“The Victorian Government is proud to partner with Commerce Ballarat in supporting our local businesses to respond to challenges throughout this uncertain time.

This funding is clearly targeted where the money is needed most to help our businesses to recover and thrive.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“The Victorian Government has provided almost $7 billion in direct economic support for businesses over the course of the pandemic and $300,000 to Commerce Ballarat is one example of how we are helping locally.”  

“Our local businesses are adapting to the challenges of COVID-19 and this grant will focus on supporting their innovation, marketing and promotion so they can excel.”

Quotes attributable to Commerce Ballarat CEO Jodie Gillett

 “Commerce Ballarat is thrilled to be given this opportunity to deliver some really exciting projects to the Grampians region. Over the past 18 months we have built close relationships with many business groups in this region through our work with the Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance. There has never been a more important time for our businesses to focus on the back end of their business to grow skills and ensure they are maximising their profits.”