Australian government grant bails out victims of natural disasters

Belmont BEC one of 25 not-for-profit organisations to receive Australian Government grant of $100,000

National Disaster Assistance Program gives Belmont BEC part of $2.5 million fund in an Australian government grant to help small businesses struggling since natural disasters

It was recently announced by Nick Sherry, Small Business Minister, that a new scheme will give an Australian government grant of $100,000 to 25 different not-for-profit organisations to help small businesses across Australia flourish in the wake of recent natural disasters. One of the organisations chosen for the task is the non-profit community-based organisation Belmont Business Enterprise Centre (BEC). Belmont BEC was established in 1994 to assist with the growth and development of small businesses in Australia. The projects and programs created by Belmont BEC over recent years have benefited several small business clients and the $100,000 will help add to the assistance they will provide for Australian small business owners. The Australian government grant was issued to the Belmont BEC under the Small Business Advisory Services - National Disaster Assistance Program to reach out to small businesses in Australia that have been struggling since the October 2010 natural disasters. The Australian government grants rewarded to 25 organisations are to establish helpful tools for small businesses such as webinars on such topics as business planning, finance, marketing, human resources, e-commerce, websites, and social media. In addition, legal and accounting support will also be available. The Belmont Business Enterprise Centre is the only organisation in Western Australia to have received an Australian government grant out of the 25. With a strong record of providing their services on a local, state-wide, and national basis, these additional funds in the form of an Australian government grant will help them continue their efforts to help with the development of small businesses in Australia.