This Year has been incredibly Tough on small Businesses

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Having been a small business owner myself, my heart goes out to every small business in Pumicestone who is struggling to keep the bills paid and food on the table.

Small businesses are a jobs powerhouse here in Pumicestone, employing thousands of local people. Keeping Pumicestone people in jobs now and into the future is my highest priority.

Queensland’s economic recovery plan, led by our Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, puts supporting small business at its heart. Right across Queensland, there’s been record-breaking government support for small business, including $200 million in COVID Adaption grants, $1 billion in concessional loans, $100 million in electricity rebates and $1.3 billion in payroll tax relief.

Here in Pumicestone, local small businesses have received almost half a million dollars in COVID Adaption Grants, helping them to adapt to the new normal – whether by selling online or finding new COVID safe ways of doing business. And there’s more to come! Recently I visited the Abbey Museum, who used their Adaption grant to set up an online shop that keeps money coming in even though 2020’s festival had to be cancelled.

Their famous mead sold out in just three days – great news for the Museum but also for the mead-making business! The $500 small business electricity rebate has been a lifesaver for small business owners like Anne, who told me that getting the unexpected $500 off her power bill gave her the heart to keep going during a tough week.

Helping small businesses build their skills is also really important. Younger people in Pumicestone have been hit extra hard because of the pandemic’s impact on hospitality and retail jobs, so getting them skilled up is a top priority. That’s why the Palaszczuk government has launched an online free training hub for small businesses.

There’s a huge range of high-quality short courses – everything from digital marketing to business planning – and it’s all free to small businesses and their staff. Learn more at https://www.qldskills.com.au/ I was excited to see new Skilling Queenslanders for Work programs announced for Bribie, Ningi and Caboolture. These programs are success stories at helping young people re-engage with training and find work.

The $20,000 boost for employers taking on a trainee or apprentice will also help businesses grow while supporting local jobs. Small businesses can also get free mentoring sessions with business experts through the popular Mentoring for Growth program. More than 50 experienced mentors are ready to connect with your business! Mentors provide tailored support including financial mentoring, business planning, pitch development and even exporting – whatever businesses need.

For more info contact 1300 654 687 or [email protected]. au Whatever your small business, I’m cheering you on! Let me know if I can help or even just give your business a shoutout on my social media! Warmly, Ali King – Labor for Pumicestone 0435 091 746 – [email protected]