The purpose of the Program is to support the economic recovery of villages and town centres through direct assistance to small and medium sized businesses and local government-led Central Business Districts (CBD) activation and revitalisation projects.

The Program has been designed to support projects that will provide a public benefit, with funding available through two targeted streams:

Stream 1 – Infrastructure support for small and medium sized businesses

Stream 2 – CBD activation and revitalisation projects delivered by Councils

The key objectives of the Northern Rivers Towns and Villages Resilient Business Activation Program are:

• to provide financial assistance to aid in the repair, restoration and resilience of Small-Medium Businesses (SMBs) that suffered significant damage as a result of the disaster event and continue to experience impacts preventing them to re-open and operate.
• to provide support to SMBs that prior to the disaster provided a product or service that serviced a local need within the community; and where that local need continues to remain unmet.
• to improve the visual appeal, usability and safety of public areas to attract pedestrians, shoppers, and tourists and to support CBD revitalisation efforts.

Eligible applicants for Stream 1:

• Small and Medium sized businesses (between 1 and 199 FTE employees) who:
  • Hold an active ABN registered prior to 22 February 2022;
  • Were operating in an eligible location for at least 12 months prior to 22 February 2022;
  • Are physically located and operating in an eligible LGA and this is reflected as the main business location on the Australian Business Register;
  • Suffered significant Direct Damage to assets as a direct result of the disaster events;
  • Intend to continue or re-establish their main business operations within an eligible location; and
  • Can demonstrate they were financially viable prior to the disaster events.

Eligible applicants for Stream 2 are:

• Local councils

In addition, applicants from both streams must meet all of the following requirements:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be one of the following: o
  • a company incorporated in Australia
  • an incorporated association or co-operative Northern Rivers Towns & Villages Resilient Business Activation Program - Program Guidelines 8
  • a partnership
  • a sole trader
  • a local council
  • a Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • not be insolvent, bankrupt or subject to ongoing legal proceedings
  • be able to demonstrate that they have at least $20 million public liability insurance or be willing to secure the insurance before entering into a Funding Deed if the application is successful.

• Phone: 0447 071 702
• Email: programdesigndelivery@regional.nsw.gov.au