More Businesses Now Eligible for Financial Assistance

24 July 2012

More Businesses Now Eligible for Financial Assistance as Grant Criteria Widens

Hundreds more businesses will now be eligible for financial assistance, thanks to a relaxation of the criteria for the Independent Advice for Small Business grant.

The grant, which is funded by the Red Cross, provides up to $750 to help small and family run businesses access professional legal and accounting advice in relation to the effect of earthquakes on their business. The grant was developed by the Red Cross, with assistance from Recover Canterbury, and was launched in January 2012.

The Red Cross has just relaxed the criteria for the grant, now allowing the grant to be paid retrospectively back until 4 September 2010.

Recover Canterbury Spokesperson Pip Tschudin says this is an incredibly positive change for Canterbury businesses.

“A large number of businesses had to seek professional, independent advice immediately following the quakes but as the Independent Advice for Small Business grant was not launched until January 2012 and was not retrospective these businesses were unable to access this source of funding.

“The inclusion of retrospective applications by the Red Cross means hundreds more businesses will now be able to get the financial hand up that the grant provides. We really do encourage businesses that believe they may now be eligible for this grant to contact the Recover Canterbury team,” says Mrs Tschudin.

The Independent Advice for Small Business grant is available to any business with fewer than ten employees and a genuine need for financial assistance in order to access professional advice about the effect of earthquakes on their business.

To date more than 250 businesses have received the Independent Advice for Small Business grant.

Applications for the Independent Advice for Small Business grant are available through Recover Canterbury. Any business that wants to apply for the grant can contact Recover Canterbury on 0800 50 50 96 or at www.recovercanterbury.co.nz.

About Recover Canterbury

Recover Canterbury was established after the Christchurch earthquakes to accelerate business recovery and prepare businesses for future growth. It is a collaboration between the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and the Canterbury Development Corporation, along with various government agencies involved in business support.

Recover Canterbury offers a wide range of services and resources to help businesses recover and revive, including advice, training and mentoring, referrals to professional services, assistance with business issues such as raising capital and access to the financial assistance provided through the Canterbury Business Recovery Trust.

ENDS

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