\nDeveloped in collaboration with the City Taskforce, comprising 17 leaders from business, community and educational sectors, the response program will foster community connections and industry resilience.
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![\"IndustryResponseGrantscrop-(1).jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/getattachment\/Council\/News\/Latest-News\/City-invests-$500,000-in-supporting-COVID-19-hit-l\/IndustryResponseGrantscrop-(1).jpg.aspx\" "\\"IndustryResponseGrantscrop-(1).jpg\\"")
Collaborative partnerships from the Hunter Writers Centre, Field Frequency, University of Newcastle, Olive Tree Markets and the Business Centre have received funding for unique projects that will boost the local economy.\nCity of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the program encouraged collaboration between industry groups, businesses and community organisations to provide long-term, strategic benefits for the City.
\n\u201cNewcastle\u2019s visitor economy has been one of the hardest-hit sectors in our community, along with hospitality, arts and recreation,\u201d the Lord Mayor said.
\n\u201cThese local initiatives are unique, innovative and leverage our City\u2019s strengths to provide support to people hardest hit by COVID-19.
\n\u201cFrom harnessing the vibrancy of Newcastle\u2019s live music scene and attracting visitors to our City, to developing stronger connections in our creative community, the funded projects will provide much needed support.
\n\u201cThe five projects will be delivered within 6-months and will leave a positive legacy for our city.\u201d
\nNewcastle Business Chamber CEO and City Taskforce Member Bob Hawes said the industry targeted funding approach has resulted in projects that present new opportunities for businesses, locals and visitors to support Newcastle\u2019s economy.
\n\u201cNow more than ever, people are looking to explore their own backyard as they recognise the need to support local businesses,\u201d Mr Hawes said.
\n\u201cIf we want to be able to return to the lifestyle we enjoyed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to support our local businesses now to ensure that they can survive this unprecedented economic and social disruption.\u201d
\n\u201cThe successful grant recipients showcase what the region can achieve when we harness the collective knowledge of our corporate, not-for-profit and government sectors.\u201d
\nIndustry Response Program Grant Recipients<\/b>
\nUniversity of Newcastle – Hometown Holiday<\/b>
\nThe Hometown Holiday project will incentivise Newcastle residents to have a \u2018hometown holiday\u2019 inclusive of overnight accommodation and curated experience itineraries. Locals will be encouraged to visit Newcastle as tourists and engage with the City as a tourism destination, providing economic benefits to local tourism businesses.
\nField Frequency – Smart City LIVE Music TV Show<\/b>
\nField Frequency will produce a live-stream music series, using live-stream broadcast collaborations to maximise the recovery of the local arts and entertainment industry. The show will showcase a diverse range of established musicians and new talent growing the City\u2019s identity as a collaborative and inclusive community.
\nThe Business Centre – Small Business Recovery Centre<\/b>
\nThe COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Project will provide much needed support and advice to local businesses, curated and coordinated by the Business Centre and based at 265 King Street. The Centre will bring together government and non-government agencies, banks and financial services providers, mental health and well-being providers, to offer support and provide information, and services, that lead to sustainability and job creation, to small businesses during and after COVID-19.
\nHunter Writers Centre Inc – Multi-arts activation<\/b>
\nHunter Writers Centre will lead a multi-arts activation benefiting local arts, cultural, and tourism businesses. The project will include exhibition studio spaces for Indigenous and non-Indigenous writers, musicians, visual and digital artists and performers to develop work for exhibitions of cultural and maritime history and stories of local sites.
\nThe Olive Tree Market – The Olive Tree Virtual Online Platform<\/b>
\nThe Virtual Olive Tree Market Platform will develop new income generating opportunities, capacity building and educational workshops for local creatives. Existing customers, supporters, and new online audiences will be targeted to buy local online, to re-connect and forge ongoing connections with creatives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"