Desley Hable, owner of Wendy’s Milk Bar in Forest Lake, is one of more than 30,000 recipients of the COVID-19 Business Support Grants, which she says helped her be at ease amid the challenges of doing business in a pandemic.
Ms Hable said that because of the grant she is able to give her staff more working hours than her business would allow otherwise. She added that the pandemic has been a stressful time for her because “business costs don’t go away and knowing this grant was coming put me at ease to get through that time.”
“I was able to use the grant on the business expenses that don’t go away regardless of your takings, things like franchise fees, rent and wages,” she said.
“I really encourage other eligible businesses to get in and apply for this grant because it’s easy to do if you follow the instructions and you would be foolish not to,” concludes Ms Hable.
Wendy’s Milk Bar | Kiosk 3 Forest Lake Village Shopping Centre, Forest Lake Boulevard, FOREST LAKE QLD 4078
Meanwhile, Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer, in her statement, said that the small business support program is part of the government’s $14.5 billion COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan. The State Government has already awarded more than $283 million worth of grants to businesses across the state that were impacted by the August lockdown.
“We want to see every eligible business apply in this final week because every eligible business that does before the deadline will receive a grant,” Di Farmer said.
“We are backing businesses with tailor made programs like our Mentoring for Growth service, Small Business Financial Counsellors and the Queensland Small Business Commissioner,” the Minister said.
“It’s also time to see if you’re eligible for grants of between $30,000 and $100,000 in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program before it closes on Monday 22 November.
“This grant helps eligible tourism and hospitality businesses that have had turnover reduced by 70 per cent or more for any week between July and September, ensure that they are ready to scale up when interstate tourism returns in December.”
About COVID-19 Business Support Grants
The COVID-19 Business Support Grants is an initiative launched by the Queensland Government. Businesses, such as the Wendy’s Milk Bar Forest Lake, that have a turnover of more than $75,000 a year and had a 30 per cent reduction in turnover during the lockdown period from 31 July to 8 August can apply for grants of up to $30,000.
Acceptance of applications for the grant ended midnight of 16 November. However, sole traders without staff can still submit their application for grants of $1,000 until 30 November.
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