Horsham Rural City Council is offering a helping hand to local businesses trying to keep up with the seemingly endless whirlwind of information during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Acting economic development manager Joel Hastings said the council would provide short and long term assistance to affected businesses.
"We understand it's a difficult time for everyone," Mr Hastings said.
"We really feel for small businesses going through rapid changes on an almost daily basis."
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Mr Hastings said the council's economic development team was reaching out to business owners by phone or email.
"In recent weeks, the council has been holding one-on-one discussions with local businesses and events about what can be open and what can't be open," he said.
"With all of the changes we have seen in the past week, the council is now focusing on helping businesses, such as cafes, transition as best as they can.
"We want to make sure there is business continuity - making sure businesses can continue operating - by offering all the services we can.
"We have staff working remotely and we have systems set up to make sure it is a smooth process."
Mr Hastings said the Horsham Rural City Council has established a partnership with the Wimmera Development Association and Grampians Tourism to ensure no business is left behind.
"Our industries are very important in our region and we're focused on making sure it can recover in the long term."
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