AN association of regional business chambers is pleading with the State Government to further ease restrictions in regional and rural Victoria from next Monday.
In a letter to the State Government signed by the heads of 12 member groups of the Victorian Regional Chambers Alliance, including Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, John Anderson, the Alliance said the regional economy continues to “suffer unnecessarily”.
The letter cited the heavily-impacted hospitality sector and refers to the upcoming AFL grand final and Melbourne Cup weekends. It also advocated on behalf of gyms, which are still prevented from opening.
“We need to be confident in the ability to successfully operate alongside this virus by ensuring that we can provide our businesses with realistic parameters to work within…” the letter stated.
The Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry will receive a $50,000 grant awarded through the Victorian Government’s Grants for Business Chambers and Trader Groups program.
Member for Northern Victoria, Mark Gepp, announced the funding last week and said the grant will help the Chamber support members’ transition to a so-called ‘COVID Normal’.
The Government’s $3M grants program provides funds of $10,000, $20,000 or $50,000 to business chambers and trader groups across Victoria to help business communities recover and start to grow again.
