RECESSION, risks, troubling times - these are all phrases thrown around to describe how tough it is to be in business during a global health pandemic.
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However, the financial burden doesn't have to be shouldered by businesses in the MIA on their own.
The Rural Financial Counselling Service is benefiting from extra federal government funding that aims to provide small regional businesses affected by COVID-19 with access to free and confidential financial counselling.
Leeton's Court Sayer-Roberts is a small business coach with the service, which also has programs running to assist enterprises impacted by the drought.
He said it was important for businesses to reach out for help.
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"(They can) utilise services like ours to create a support network, especially given the situation we are in with drought and now COVID-19 and the challenges it brings," Mr Sayer-Roberts said.
"We are in a unique position as the federal government has committed financially to this program to specifically help the recovery of regional small businesses for 12 months.
"The success of this program and longevity is underpinned by the uptake and use of (our) Professional Services Fund.
"This is a great opportunity to use the fund and our services as leverage to recover, rebuild and rewire their business to operate in a new landscape."
"We are real locals passionate about helping our regional small businesses recover."
In order to do this, the Rural Financial Counselling Service is delivering what is known as the "Rewire Project".
"(This) is about assisting with recovery and supporting stability for our local small businesses," Mr Sayer-Roberts said.
The Rewire Project offers free, unlimited support with a personalised small business coach for 12 months, with the added financial benefit of access to a professional service fund.
"Small business coaches have a vested interest in you and your business and will look at all avenues of support to help you through these difficult times, whether that's grant assistance, business planning or cashflow forecasting for example," Mr Sayer-Roberts said.
"Small business owners have simple access of up to $5000 to pay for specialist third party advice and or education/training such as specialist accounting, marketing, legal advice and or take the opportunity to enrol in a course to further enhance their skills and or professional development."
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Rural Financial Counselling Service would be able to support hundreds of regional small businesses as a result of the funding boost.
We are in a unique position as the federal government has committed financially to this program to specifically help the recovery of regional small businesses for 12 months.
- Small business coach and Leeton resident Court Sayer-Roberts
"This announcement is another step forward in regional Australia's economic recovery from this pandemic, with more investment in industries and businesses hardest hit," Mr McCormack said.
"The service will also create jobs for small business financial counsellors and support workers."
Businesses in the MIA wanting to know more about the Rewire Project and how to participate should contact Mr Sayer-Roberts 0428 073 360 or call 1800 570 655.