Social Futures has secured funding from the Commonwealth and NSW Governments’ Anchor Business Support Grant Program.
The $59.3 million program is funded by a $44.3 million commitment from the Commonwealth Government, with $15 million co-funding from the NSW Government.
The program is being administered by the NSW Government under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator Murray Watt said the program to get businesses back to normal operations as quickly as possible comes on top of additional support already provided to small and medium sized businesses in the region, and bespoke payments to keep workers connected with their employer.
“Each of the businesses supported by the Anchor Business Support Grant Program help drive the Northern Rivers economy and backing them in returning to pre-flood operations helps the wider region recover as well,” Minister Watt said.
“The program will support clean up, repairs, rebuilding work, and help employers become more resilient when faced with future flood events.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the funding would help keep jobs in the region and underpin the local economy for years to come.
“These businesses genuinely are anchors of the region’s economy and combined employ nearly 1400 locals directly,” Mr Toole said.
The Department of Regional NSW led the merit-based assessment of applications against the guidelines and assessment criteria.
Social Futures has been awarded a grant of $899,360.
Social Futures CEO Tony Davies said the organisation lost four offices in the Lismore floods, displacing 120 staff who provide vital services across the region.
“Since then they have been in makeshift arrangements that limit our ability to provide face to face support. This grant means that we can get back to work in an accessible location to ramp up our support for Lismore,” Mr Davies said.
PHOTO: Social Futures’ Cathy Serventy with NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole and with Chief Financial Officer Michael Carter and CEO Tony Davies.
