Council
20 June, 2024
Funds remain under popular BAS scheme
ONE of Terang’s newest businesses will get a facelift as part of funding under Corangamite Shire’s Business Assistance Scheme, with more than $36,000 available under the program.
Corangamite Shire councillors unanimously voted at last month’s Ordinary Meeting of Council to allocate $537.50 to AJ&M Automotive Centre in Terang to fund new business façade signage and door graphics.
The motion was moved by Cr Geraldine Conheady, who said she was happy to support the application.
“It’s very pleasing to be able to fund $537 for their signage,” she said.
“There were some changes to our community assistance schemes some time ago and it seems our new business assistance scheme, as it is now known, is becoming familiar to our communities.
“I’m pleased they are taking the opportunity to apply and to seek assistance for some of these projects.
“We’ve seen a lot of businesses take advantage of this particular stream to great benefit.”
Corangamite Shire’s 2024-2024 budget allocated $50,000 towards the Business Façade Scheme, which is being spent through the Business Assistance Scheme.
Cr Ruth Gstrein, who seconded the motion, said there was still a significant amount of the allocated funding available.
“This is a rolling fund and there’s still, under the business façade scheme, there’s more than $36,000 still outstanding this financial year,” she said.
“I’d certainly encourage businesses still out there who want some work done on their facades to talk to council staff or jump online.”
Cr Jo Beard encouraged business owners to apply for funding, saying the shire took pride in supporting its local businesses.
“It’s a case of if we don’t use this funding, we may lose it,” she said.
“It’s important that we do remind our community people out there, particularly our business owners, to get on quickly knowing there’s not much left of this financial year.
“We’ve had a few of the new rolling fund come to us now and having seen that work actually turn over and already be achieved in the community, particularly in our business precinct, is so good to see.
“There’s still that flow on effect that doesn’t only benefit the business that has applied but also for those businesses that are getting that work done.”
The Business Assistance Scheme was adopted in September 2023 under the Grow and Prosper Corangamite framework to support economic and community development within the shire.
It offers funding under four streams; business façade improvement, creative industries and placemaking, community enterprise and fees and enabling infrastructure.
To learn more about the Business Assistance Scheme or to apply visit https://www.corangamite.vic.gov.au/Business/Business-Assistance-Scheme.