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Latrobe City reminding businesses they can still access help from being affected by COVID-19 pandemic

Programs that could help local business owners in improving their businesses.

By news@gippsland - 8th July 2021 - Back to News

Latrobe City Council is reminding businesses they can still access assistance from Council to help offset some impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Council is offering business vouchers, an online library of past webinars and tailored services such as small business mentoring.

If you live in Central Gippsland - Latrobe City Gift Cards are the perfect way to please your loved ones and friends

Support to local businesses

Council also encourages shoppers to buy a Latrobe City Gift Card which can be used at participating businesses in place of cash, thereby supporting local businesses. Council is aware that businesses in Latrobe City have closed as result of loss of trade during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, both this year and last year. This has resulted in the loss of providers of goods and services in our community, as well as jobs.

Council is aware many small business-owners are fatigued by the ongoing impact of lockdowns and restrictions impacting their ability to bounce back when restrictions are lifted. On the flip side, Council is also pleased to see that a large number of new businesses opened during the pandemic.

Faith in the local economy

On average, 150 new Australian Business Numbers (ABN) are registered in Latrobe City each month. While each ABN does not always represent a new business, the number of new ABNs registered shows faith in the local economy. The key industries in which the ABNs are for are:

• Construction; health care and social assistance
• Transport, postal and warehousing
• Administration and support services
• Professional, scientific and technical services

Council Mayor, Cr Sharon Gibson said the impacts of COVID-19 on the community would never be forgotten. "I have personally seen some of my favourite businesses close due to the economic pressures this pandemic has placed upon them."

Dedicated staff to help

Cr Sharon Gibson said, "It is devastating for people who have put so much of themselves into creating businesses and then be left with no option but to close because they cannot continue to sustain financial losses while trying to pay staff and other costs. Businesses in need at this time should not delay in asking for help. Council's Business Development Team has informed and dedicated staff available to help you." she said.

Services included in the program

The Latrobe City Council Small Business Voucher program supports small businesses impacted by COVID by helping them to think strategically by accessing the services of other business providers in Latrobe City.

This program supports other businesses in the City and expands business-people's knowledge of what professional services are available locally.

Access to webinars

Business-people are able to access an online library of webinars Council has previously held, covering such topics as branding, online marketing, accounting and business law. "The Latrobe City Gift Card makes for ideal gifts for family and friends, and is also suitable for businesses to buy to reward clients. Small businesses are the very businesses that support our local clubs and community groups, so supporting them is vital." Cr Gibson said.

Further information about the business voucher program can be found at local business voucher program.

To access past webinars, let's Navigating your business.

Businesses in need of assistance can phone Council on 1300 367 700 and ask to speak to Council's Business Development Team. For information about where to buy a gift card, load up a card with cash and where to spend the card, please see Latrobe City gift cards.

Pictures from Traralgon Community Development Association Inc Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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