Guidelines and Application Form

Applications for the Smart City Business Grants #1 have now closed. For enquiries relating to your application, please speak Council's Economic Development Team on 9707 9755 or email business@cbcity.nsw.gov.au

If you have been approved or have applied for any other Canterbury Bankstown City Council grant, in response to the Covid-19 crisis, you are not eligible to apply for this grant.

Objectives

We recognise that sales, attraction of customers, and cash flow management will be a pressing issue for small businesses in the coming weeks and months, as people practice social distancing and some businesses having to suspend operation. In order to deliver additional direct support to businesses, Council has allocated a total pool of $250,000 which will be distributed as grants to assist businesses to develop and/or improve their e-commerce capabilities and online marketing. These Smart City Smart Business Grants are being made available through a streamlined application process and will offer dollar for dollar funding up to a maximum of $2,000, to businesses with a turnover below $5M. Activities supported will include developing an online market place, social media marketing, and website development.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Must not be a start-up,
• Must be adversely affected by Covid-19,
• Be a 'for-profit' small business, registered for GST,
• have an ABN registered in Canterbury Bankstown,
• conduct more than 50% of their trade from within the Canterbury Bankstown Local Government Area,
• have an annual turnover between $75,000 and $5M,
• be able to complete their project / activity before 31 December 2020,
• declare that your company has not applied for another grant, neither are you an owner, director, shareholder, partner or associate, of another company which has made an application for this grant, and;
• Supplier must:
• be based in Australia and quote in AUD,
• have an ABN and it must be stated on their quote,
• supply you with a quote and not a tax invoice for your application,
• a suppler who is registered for GST and states this on their quote provided to you,
• a supplier who provides you with a clear description of the activity you are engaging them for. The review panel will not accept general quotes that only state 'website development',
• a true third-party supplier to you and your business, with no contra deals and no commercial relationship in place.

What can / cannot be applied for?

Can: up to $2,000 on a dollar for dollar basis for activities undertaken by your business to develop and/or improve your e-commerce capabilities and online marketing. This could include, but will not be limited to:

• developing a new website,
• improving an existing website,
• developing an online catalogue or sales capability,
• purchase of specific and dedicated software (not hardware) to improve your online capability,
• undertaking paid online and social media advertising, and;
• develop an online ordering system and/or service for your product or services.

Cannot: activities it does not support include, but will not be limited to:

• core daily and ongoing operational activities and the payment of already salaried staff,
• activities that have already been undertaken and paid for,
• activities related to the sale or promotion of religious and political activities, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, pornography, and any illegal activity,
• any activity where there is an actual or perceived conflict of interest, it is not in the public's interest, or if it is not in accordance with Council policies and procedures.

Application process

Applications must be made by completing the form below.

You must attach a third-party quote/s for the activity or project.

You must attach a copy of your most recent Annual Profit and Loss, and Balance Sheet statements.

Applications are limited to one per company. Where different companies apply but have the same owner/s, director/s, shareholder/s, partner/s or associates, applications will be limited to just one of those companies.

Application Assessment

• Canterbury Bankstown City Council aims to assess and make a decision on each application within 5 business days of the application being received.
• We may contact you if we require further information.
• A decision on your application will be formally communicated to you in writing.
• You should not begin the proposed activity until you have received written acceptance of your application, as we will be unable to pay the grant in such circumstances.
• Where we are unable to approve your application, we will provide an explanation for this in writing or review your application with you to give you every opportunity to be successful.

Payment of Grant

Dollar for dollar funding means the grant will provide you with 50% of the invoiced cost. For example, if your e-commerce capabilities and/or online marketing is quoted at $1,500 the grant will cover $750. The grant is capped at $2,000. You would pay for the full cost of the activity yourself first, and then you would submit evidence of payment and evidence that you have completed the activity to Council. Following this, Council will reimburse you.

Grant payments of up to $2,000 (dollar for dollar), that is aligned to a previously agreed approval, will be processed within 14 days on production of a receipt showing payment against agreed activities has already been made.

Enquiries

To discuss your proposed activity or if require assistance with your application, please speak Council's Economic Development Team on 9707 9755 or email business@cbcity.nsw.gov.au before you submit you application.

#business-grants-pages

Guidelines and Application Form

Applications for the Smart City Business Grants Round 2: Café and Restaurant Business have now closed. For enquiries relating to your application, please speak to Council's Economic Development Team on 9707 9859 or email business@cbcity.nsw.gov.au
 

Applicants who have been approved for Council's Round 1: Smart City Smart Business Grants are ineligible to apply for this grant.

Objectives

Council continues to recognise the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on our local cafes and restaurants and is committed to continue to help local businesses and welcome people back into their cafes and restaurants.

The aim of Council's Round 2: Café and Restaurant Business, is to continue to support our local cafes and restaurants affected by the crisis by facilitating to develop a market presence and provide a Covid-19 safe environment for people to dine in.

This grant is available through a streamlined application process and will offer dollar for dollar funding up to a maximum of $2,000. Businesses must have an annual turnover between $100,000 and $5M, and demonstrate a Covid impact of more than 15% drop in turnover. Applicants must also demonstrate that the business has been trading for a minimum of 12 months.

Applicants will be required to engage a local supplier based in the Canterbury Bankstown area and use the #Eatglobalvisitlocal brand in all marketing related to the program.

Applicants must:

• demonstrate that the business has been trading for more than 12 months,
• be a 'for-profit' small business, registered for GST,
• demonstrate a Covid impact of more than 15% drop in turnover,
• not be a franchisee or national chain,
• provide a simple marketing plan to forecast the impact of the activity you are undertaking with this grant,
• have an ABN registered in Canterbury Bankstown,
• conduct more than 50% of their trade from within the Canterbury Bankstown Local Government Area,
• more than 50% trade has to be food and non-alcoholic beverages,
• business must trade as a dine-in restaurant/café or both done-in and takeaway,
• have an annual turnover between $100,000 and $5M,
• be able to complete their project / activity before 31 July 2020,
• declare that your company has not applied for another grant, neither are you an owner, director, shareholder, partner or associate, of another company which has made an application for this grant, and;
• Supplier must:
• be based in Canterbury-Bankstown area and quote in AUD,
• have an ABN and it must be stated on their quote,
• supply you with a quote and not a tax invoice for your application,
• a suppler who is registered for GST and states this on their quote provided to you,
• a supplier who provides you with a clear description of the activity you are engaging them for. The review panel will not accept general quotes that only state 'website development',
• demonstrate that the supplier has provided this service in the past such as website portfolio's, and,
• a true third-party supplier to you and your business, with no contra deals and no commercial relationship in place.

What activities can I use the grant for?

• design of a digital brochure with the capability to be converted to print for printing and distribution,
• cost of printing flyers and local letterbox distribution,
• digital marketing costs such as the costs of marketing on Facebook and Google Ads,
• website development to include an online menu, online reservation or sales/ordering capability,
• development of an App,
• professional photos and video production for marketing purposes (you will need to provide explanation of your marketing strategy),
• design and production of branded labels/stickers to reinforce social distancing
• contractor to temporarily reconfigure your restaurant\floor layout to ensure safe distancing practises are adhered to as set out by the government, this can include furniture and safe barriers, and,
• hygiene equipment including fixed sanitiser dispensers.

What activities I cannot use the grant for?

Activities it does not support include, but will not be limited to:

• core daily and ongoing operational activities and the payment of already salaried staff,
• cannot use for consultancy costs,
• activities that have already been undertaken and paid for,
• activities related to the sale or promotion of religious and political activities, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, pornography, and any illegal activity,
• for sponsorship arrangements with local clubs, groups and schools, and.
• any activity where there is an actual or perceived conflict of interest, it is not in the public's interest, or if it is not in accordance with Council policies and procedures.

Your application will be assessed and determined based on meeting the above criteria, as well as:

• past council health/food inspections (businesses failing their inspections within the last 24 months will not be eligible),
• demonstrated Covid impact of more than 15% drop in turnover on your business,
• demonstrated annual turnover between $100,000 and $5M by providing a copy of your 2018/19 Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss, and,
• provision of your Business Insurance and Public Liability Insurance.

Conditions of approval of application:

Approved applications must:

• list the business on Council's online Café and Resturant Business Directory,
• acknowledge Council in your online marketing activities, including promotion of the online business directory,
• use #Eatglobalvisitlocal in all social media marketing campaigns related to the program, and,
• acknowledge Council in any other marketing collateral.

Application process

Applications must be made by completing the online form below.

You must attach a third-party quote/s for the activity or project.

You must attach a copy of your most recent Profit and Loss, and Balance Sheet statements.

You must attach a copy of your Business Insurance and Public Liability Insurance.

Applications are limited to one per company. Where different companies apply but have the same owner/s, director/s, shareholder/s, partner/s or associates, applications will be limited to just one of those companies.

Application Assessment

• Council aims to assess and make a decision on each application within 5 business days of the application being received.
• We may contact you if we require further information.
• A decision on your application will be formally communicated to you in writing.
• You should not begin the proposed activity until you have received written acceptance of your application.
• Where we are unable to approve your application, we will provide an explanation for this in writing or review your application with you to give you every opportunity to be successful.
• Council reserves the right to ask for additional information to evaluate the application in the public's interest

Payment of Grant

Dollar for dollar funding means the grant will provide you with 50% of the invoiced cost. For example, if your e-commerce capabilities and/or online marketing is quoted at $1,500 the grant will cover $750.
 

The grant is capped at $2,000.

You would pay for the full cost of the activity yourself first, and then you would submit evidence of payment and evidence that you have completed the activity to Council. Following this, Council will reimburse you.

Grant payments of up to $2,000 (dollar for dollar), that is aligned to a previously agreed approval, will be processed within 14 days on production of a receipt showing payment against agreed activities has already been made.

Enquiries

To discuss your proposed activity or if require assistance with your application, please speak Council's Economic Development Team on 9707 9859 or email business@cbcity.nsw.gov.au before you submit you application.

#business-grants-pages

Guidelines and Application Form

Objectives

Applicants must:

• Have a retail, services or eatery shop in the Canterbury-Bankstown local government area (LGA);
• Conduct more than 50 per cent of their trade from within the LGA;
• Demonstrate that the business has been trading for more than 12 months;
• Be a 'for-profit' small business, registered for GST;
• Not be a franchisee or national chain;
• Provide a simple marketing plan to forecast the impact of the activity you are undertaking with this grant;
• Have an ABN registered in Canterbury-Bankstown;
• For eateries, more than 50 per cent trade has to be food and non-alcoholic beverages;
• A business must trade as a retail store, dine-in restaurant/café or both dine-in and takeaway;
• Have an annual turnover of between $100,000 and $5,000,000;
• Be able to complete their project/activity before 28 February 2021;
• Declare that your company has not applied for another grant, neither are you an owner, director, shareholder, partner or associate of another company which has made an application for this grant; and
• Engage with a supplier which must:
• Be based in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA, and quote in AUD;
• Have an ABN stated on their quote;
• Supply you with a quote and not a tax invoice for your application;
• Be registered for GST and states this on their quote provided to you;
• Provide you with a clear description of the activity you are engaging them for. The review panel will not accept general quotes such as one which states “website development”;
• Demonstrate it has provided this service in the past, such as website portfolios; and
• Be a true third-party supplier to you and your business,  with no contra deals and no commercial relationship in place.

What activities can I use the grant for?

• Design of a digital brochure with the capability to be converted to print for printing and distribution;
• Cover the cost of printing flyers and local letterbox distribution;
• Digital marketing costs such as the cost of marketing on Facebook and Google Ads;
• Website and E-commerce development to include an online menu, online reservation or sales/ordering capability;
• Development of an App to aid business sales;
• Professional photos and video production for marketing purposes (you will need to provide explanation of your marketing strategy);
• Design and production of branded labels/stickers to reinforce social distancing;
• Engage a contractor to temporarily reconfigure your restaurant/floor layout to ensure safe distancing practises are adhered to, as set out by the government. This can include furniture, safe barriers and outdoor dining trading practice in accordance with the Commerical Use of Footways Policy;

Equipment that will aid in ensuring physical distancing of customers, including devices as a means to eliminate the

potential spread ofcornavirus such as outdoor dining furniture; and

• Hygiene equipment including fixed sanitiser dispensers.

What activities can't I use the grant for?

• Core daily and ongoing operational activities, and the payment of already salaried staff;
• Consultancy costs;
• Activities that have already been undertaken and paid for;
• Activities related to the sale or promotion of religious or political activities, tobacco, drugs, pornography or any illegal activity;
• For sponsorship arrangements with local clubs, groups and schools; and
• Any activity where there is an actual or perceived conflict of interest, is not in the public's interest or is not in accordance with Council's policies and procedures.

• Passed Council health and food inspections (businesses failing their inspections within the last 24 months will not be eligible);
• Demonstrated annual turnover between $100,000 and $5,000,000 by providing a copy of your 2019/20 balance sheet and profits and losses;
• Provision of your Business Insurance and Public Liability Insurance; and
• If the grant is being used to use footways, confirmation of approval of Commercial Use of Footways Licence must be provided. 

What is retail?

A retail sale occurs when a business sells a product or service to an individual consumer. The transaction itself can occur through a number of different sales channels, such as online, in a brick-and-mortar storefront, through direct sales, or direct mail. The aspect of the sale that qualifies it as a retail transaction is that the end user is the buyer.

Conditions of approval of application:

Approved applications must:

• Acknowledge the support of City of Canterbury Bankstown on your website or through your social media channels, and any other marketing collateral;
• Eateries must list their business on Council's online café and restaurant business directory;

Application process and checklist

• Applications must be made by completing the online form below;
• You must attach a third-party quote/s for the proposed activity or project;
• You must attach a copy of your most recent profits and losses, and balance sheet statements;
• Attach a copy of your Business Insurance and Public Liability Insurance.

Application assessment

• Council aims to assess and make a decision on each application within 5 business days of the application being received.
• We may contact you if we require further information.
• A decision on your application will be formally communicated to you in writing.
• You should not begin the proposed activity until you have received written acceptance of your application.
• Where we are unable to approve your application, we will provide an explanation for this in writing or review your application with you to give you every opportunity to be successful.
• Council reserves the right to ask for additional information to evaluate the application in the public's interest

Payment of Grant

Enquiries

Deadline

Applications close 31 January 2021.