Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Thursday, 2 July, 2020. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Visitor Economy COVID-19 Recovery and Activation Grants open

The Visitor Economy Grants were introduced as one of 29 measures in the Stage 2 Economic Response to COVID-19 Package announced at the June Council Meeting.

The grants will aim to assist businesses in Greater Shepparton’s Visitor Economy industry implement initiatives that help business sustainability, encourage enhanced visitor experiences and tourism product development and increase visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery phase.

A total grant pool of $125,000 is available.

Funding will only be provided where there is a direct link to a business that supports the local visitor economy. Under the grant guidelines, the following sectors are available to apply; accommodation, transport operators, event suppliers and contractors, tour companies, attractions, wellness tourism, farm gate experiences, retail who have a direct link to local produce, hospitality and food production.

The program is looking for businesses to demonstrate innovation and enhance the visitor experience, with funding available to support projects across a diverse area including tourism and interpretive signage, product development, visitor adaption and diversification, creative experiences and storytelling, interpretive walks and trails, accessibility upgrades and environmentally sustainable visitor infrastructure.

The grants opened yesterday, 1 July 2020, and will close at 5pm on Monday 10 August 2020.

“For our region to bounce back from this pandemic, we need to bring people to Greater Shepparton, and remind them our region is an incredible place to visit,” Mayor Cr Seema Abdullah said.

“Our visitor economy will play a key role in rebooting Greater Shepparton, and Council is committed to supporting and working alongside our businesses in that industry. The recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic is going to need a community-wide effort, and our visitor economy will be at the forefront of this.

“Our region is currently seeing major tourism infrastructure investments in the new Shepparton Art Museum, the Museum of Vehicle Evolution (MOVE), shared path network upgrades and the redevelopment of the Maude Street Mall. All of these investments are shaping Greater Shepparton as a major visitor destination.

“The Visitor Economy COVID-19 Recovery and Activation Grants will create more opportunities to grow visitation, length of stay and economic stimulation in the region.”

More information on the grant program can be found here.

Council’s full Stage 2 Greater Shepparton Economic Response to COVID-19 Package can be found here.