Commercial Support Grants funding round opens

The City of Kwinana’s second round of the Local Commercial Support Grants for 2022 opens on 12 September.

Mayor Carol Adams said the funding round would be open to retail and home-based businesses.

“Two rounds of the Local Commercial Support Grants are released each year, as the City of Kwinana recognises that local businesses play an important role in the quality of life of the community,” Mayor Adams said.

“Local businesses increase the vitality of our City and are an important source of employment for local residents.

“The purpose of this grant is to encourage business owners to invest in making improvements to their business by engaging other local businesses and services to carry out this work.”

Landscaper Sam Wells, of Rivulet Landscaping, used a Local Commercial Support Grant from a previous round to work with web designer Kirsty Dredge, of Thorn Creative to improve the business’s online presence.

“I would have had to delay updating my website if it were not for the grant,” Mr Wells said.

“The new site is mobile-friendly and now includes before and after images of recent projects.

“It also now emphasises the design consultation services of Rivulet.

“For example, while I regularly work on maintenance projects including Picturesque Gardens in Casuarina, my design consultation services can help transform a bushfire ravaged section of the site with natives to complement existing gardens.

Mayor Adams said Local Commercial Support Grants were allocated on a competitive basis via an Expression of Interest (EOI) process.

“Grants take the form of a reimbursement, to a maximum of $1000, for specified types of expenses for example physical upgrades, security features, strengthening online presence and professional development,” she said.

To apply for a Local Commercial Support Grant, please visit www.kwinana.wa.gov.au/business-grants-and-funding