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Bass Coast shop front improvement program delivered rebates to 41 businesses as part of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic

With the assistance of the rebates, nearly 30 projects have already been completed, such as external signage, painting, minor repairs, accessibility improvements and lighting upgrades.

By news@gippsland - 17th June 2022 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council's Shopfront Improvement Program is wrapping up after 41 businesses from across the Shire received rebates to complete improvement projects as part of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Bass Coast Shire Mayor Cr Michael Whelan said that the Program was a fantastic incentive for local businesses to spruce up their shopfronts to help create an improved aesthetic across the Shire.

Cr Whelan explained that Shop front Improvement Program has been such a positive program for local businesses in the Shire, particularly given the lingering impacts of the pandemic

More businesses getting rebates

Cr Whelan said, "An additional benefit of the program was that the majority of the rebate recipients engaged local contractors to complete their projects, investing more than $76,000, or around 94 per cent of total project spend, back into the local economy."

"We received a $50,000 grant from Regional Development Victoria to run this Program and through it, we were able to provide 26 rebates of up to $2000. Because of the overwhelming response the program received, Council committed $28,000 to provide a further 15 businesses with a rebate." Cr Whelan said.

"We already have enquiries from businesses that missed out in the first round, hoping for a follow up program. We will continue to advocate to the State Government for funding to run a similar program in the future," Cr Whelan concluded.

Shopfront improvement

For more information on the Program, contact council's business support team on business.support@basscoast.vic.gov.au or 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211.

You can also see the improvements on Bass Coast's YouTube video Shopfront Improvement Rebate Program.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com