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Bass Coast Shire Council gives 41 businesses up to $2000 rebate each to improve shopfronts

Forty-one Bass Coast businesses will receive rebates of up to $2000, to complete vital shopfront improvements.

By news@gippsland - 9th December 2021 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council received $50,000 from Regional Development Victoria to facilitate a Shopfront Improvement Rebate Program. The Program received 41 high-quality applications, from a wide range of businesses and services from eight towns across the Shire.

From the left, Deputy Mayor Cr Leticia Laing, local business owners Alan Foon, Souvanny Gully, Stephen Cousins, The Hon Mary-Anne Thomas MP and Jordan Crugnale MP

Providing support for businesses

From these applications, 26 businesses will be allocated up to $2,000 from the Rebate Program. Given the overwhelming response to the program, council has committed to providing $27,500 to support the projects of the remaining 15 businesses.

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan said it was wonderful to welcome Minister for Regional Development the Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas to Wonthaggi on Thursday (9 December) to announce the recipients of the rebates.

Recovery from the pandemic

Cr Whelan said, "I would also like to thank our Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale MP, who has been a passionate advocate for Bass Coast and has played a critical role in the State Government's continued investment in our region."

"The Rebate Program will assist businesses and service providers in Bass Coast to improve the appearance of their shopfronts and building facades as part of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic." Cr Whelan said.

Boost for local economy

Cr Whelan said that vibrant and attractive streets, shops and public spaces play an important role in creating prosperous town centres. "We want to do everything we can to bring people back to our towns. We rely so heavily on the visitor economy in Bass Coast, so it will be great to see these projects come to life and the difference it makes to these businesses."

"In an additional boost for the local economy, the majority of the rebate recipients have indicated they will utilise local contractors to complete the projects." Cr Whelan said. Some of the projects that will be completed with the assistance of the rebates include external signage, painting, minor repairs and lighting upgrades.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com