Small businesses will have additional support from business advisory service Business Connect with 20 new advisors providing free advice and a range of new resources, as the NSW Government ramps up its support for COVID-19 impacted businesses.
An additional $3.5 million has been allocated to Business Connect to meet the demand from small businesses impacted by the pandemic.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said some of the new advisors were expected to be on board as early as mid-August.
“The funding will go towards a range of support measures including new advisors, more hours for existing part-time advisors and more events and resources,” Mr Tudehope said.
Mr Tudehope said Business Connect had advisors across NSW and all advice related to COVID-19 is free of charge.
“Small businesses affected by the current COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions can seek independent advice from Business Connect and business owners can access a range of webinars and online resources,” Mr Tudehope said.
“The right advice at the right time can be the difference between success and failure for mum-and-dad businesses and entrepreneurs. If we keep businesses in business, we keep people in jobs.
“Business Connect advisors and resources can help you to develop a recovery plan, consider your options, manage change and cashflow and market your business to reach new customers.”
Many of the advisors have run their own businesses in industries dramatically impacted by COVID-19 including retail, hospitality, tourism and the arts and creative industries. Multicultural advisors and translation services are available for businesses from non-English speaking backgrounds.
For more information on the support measures for businesses visit: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/covid-19-help-businesses. For more on Business Connect visit: www.nsw.gov.au/businessconnect