Small Business Grants

Small Business Grants
Information Pack
Grant Objectives
What are the Small Business Grants?
The City of Perth recognises that small business makes a large contribution to the vibrancy and energy
of the city. Therefore the City offers cash grants of up to $2,000 to small businesses located within the
City of Perth Local Government Area for the 2016/17 financial year.
The funding may be used to assist with business start-up, expansion or for other innovative and
creative business-related projects that provide a clear benefit both to the business and the City of
Perth.
What are the Objectives of the program?
·· Support the effective implementation of the City’s Economic Development Strategy;
·· Support and encourage local small businesses that demonstrate strong market potential and a
sound business model; and
·· Encourage and promote diverse business projects that improve Perth’s competitive advantage and
provide direct benefits to its people and the business community.
What kinds of business project are supported? Some examples:
·· shop/office fit outs or refurbishments;
·· establishment of alfresco areas;
·· activation of underutilised spaces;
·· building façade refurbishments;
·· improve safety or amenity;
·· external/permanent signage;
·· product development;
·· enhance the public realm; and
·· extend retail hours activity.
2
Eligibility
What businesses are eligible to apply?
The City of Perth welcomes applications from any small business that is located within the City of
Perth Local Government Area (LGA). To be considered for the grant, the applicant must demonstrate
that they:
·· Own or operate a small business (as defined by the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian
Bureau of Statistics) within the City of Perth;
·· Have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN);
·· Have the appropriate insurances, permits and licences for business operation; and
·· Have a lease agreement for a space within the City of Perth Local Government Area, which extends
at least 12 months from the time the application is submitted.
City of Perth Local Government Area (LGA)
Your business must be located in the City of Perth Local Government Area (Northbridge, West Perth,
East Perth, CBD or applicable locations of Crawley and Subiaco).
Northbridge
G rove
West Perth
Coli
n
Perth
East Perth
Crawley
Not Supported
The City of Perth will not consider applications from:
·· Businesses that operate outside of the City of Perth Local Government Area;
·· Government departments or agencies;
·· Unincorporated associations, branches, franchisees or subsidiaries of larger companies;
·· Online businesses or businesses operating from home or virtual/serviced offices;
·· Businesses that have an adverse effect on public health, safety, the environment, or heritage;
·· One-off events or annual projects such as recurring events, temporary or short-term projects;
·· Businesses proposing to purchase basic operational equipment, consumables and/or standard
office equipment;
·· Any business which has received more than one (1) City of Perth Small Business Grant over the
past five (5) years; or
·· Any business which has received a Matched Funding Grant over the past five (5) years.
Note: Businesses receiving funding from the State and/or Federal Government are eligible to apply for
a Small Business Grant.
Items not supported for grant funding:
The City of Perth will not provide grants for business operating costs (e.g. staff wages, rent, and
utilities), consumables, relocatable equipment, standard operational equipment or to pay for
advertising campaigns.
4
Payment & Acquittal Terms
How is payment provided?
In order to receive the grant, all successful businesses must sign a letter of agreement that clearly
details the approved expenditure items that are covered by the grant and agree to the following
conditions:
Payment terms
·· All grant funding must be spent between the date of the grant approval and 30 June 2017.
·· Business recipients must complete and submit a Claim Form (to be provided to the recipient once
grant money is approved).
·· Business recipients must provide proof that the grant money was spent on approved items and
was spent after the grant application was approved (not before) through provision of invoices and
tax receipts.
·· Business recipients are required to engage with the City of Perth to provide updates on the use of
the grant money (when/if required).
Acquittal terms
·· Business recipients must provide before and after photographs of the project undertaken using
grant funding, along with a short testimonial that will be used for promotional purposes.
·· Business recipients must acknowledge and promote the City of Perth’s funding support on
promotional material and/or agree to a publicity opportunity arranged by the City of Perth.
·· Business recipients must allow the City of Perth to publicise information about their business in
promotion of the grants.
·· Business recipients display the ‘City of Perth Grant Recipient’ sticker provided in a visible position
on their business premises, preferably a window facing externally.
Assessment
What are the assessment criteria?
Eligible applications for Small Business Grants will be assessed against the following:
Essential
1. The project contributes towards the achievement of the program’s objectives:
a. Support the effective implementation of the City’s Economic Development Strategy.
b. Support and encourage small businesses to operate in the city.
c. Encourage innovative and creative small business projects; and
d. Support businesses that demonstrate a notable benefit to the city’s people and/or business
communities.
2. Financial viability of the business project must be demonstrated:
a. Financial viability of the business project should not be dependant on grant money.
b. Application includes a detailed business plan for the business.
c. Application includes a detailed project plan of business project.
d. Application must include a minimum of two (2) quotations for the business project.
Desirable
The business project meets one of the below:
·· demonstrates business readiness;
·· introduces a new or innovative product or process to the city;
·· creates networks with other businesses or organisations;
·· is involved in small-scale manufacturing or production within the city (e.g. jewellers, designers,
software developers) and exports to other regions;
·· enhances public safety or the environment;
·· activates underutilised spaces such as empty upper floors, basements or buildings within laneways;
and/or
·· contributes positively towards the City’s social, environmental or economic development.
6
Submissions
Application forms
You can request an Application Form by contatcting the Economic Development Unit on
(08) 9461 3198.
How do I apply?
Applications will be accepted from Friday, 1 July 2016 until COB Friday, 19 May 2017, or until all funds
have been allocated.
Submit the compiled application, marked “Confidential” to:
Economic Development Unit
City of Perth
G.P.O. Box C120, Perth
Western Australia 6839
Or via email to [email protected]
Contact
Have a question or need more information?
Please call the City of Perth Economic Development Unit on (08) 9461-3198
or email [email protected]
16-133 08/2016
Council House, 27 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Visit us @ www.perth.wa.gov.au