The Tauranga Chamber of Commerce is expanding its resources, effective immediately, to help businesses affected by COVID-19.
An additional $4m of funding has been provided by the Government to the Regional Business Partnership Network (RBP) nationwide.
The Bay of Plenty region received funding for an additional three full-time Business Advisors to support businesses, boosting the existing four advisors already working here.
The Business Advisors are being shared across Tauranga Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Bay of Plenty Chamber of Commerce and Rotorua Business Chamber, as well as Poutama Trust, which will receive a Business Advisor to boost support for Māori business networks and owners.
Businesses can contact the Biz Hub helpline to arrange a meeting (over the phone or digitally), free of charge, with one of the Business Advisors to discuss how they are affected by COVID-19 and what support they need.
The Business Advisors will then provide direction and advice on how to get this support, by connecting businesses with key providers and Government agencies, such as IRD and Work and Income, as well as helping them understand how to better utilise their current providers.
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce CEO Matt Cowley says the purpose of the Business Advisors is to give businesses some clear direction in a time of uncertainty, as well as equip them with a strategic plan to cope long term.
“There is so much information available and for many it can be overwhelming to know where to start, what they have access to or what course of action would best suit the specific needs of their business.
“We want the business community to know they have somewhere to turn to for guidance and that they can walk away from their session with a Business Advisor with a renewed level of confidence and support.”
