Optus to support small businesses' bushfire recovery

Bushfire-affected small enterprises could be up for one of 2000 ‘Green Shoots grants’ to help restore connectivity and recover their business.

Optus’s initiative would see successful applicants receive a 6th generation Apple iPad or equivalent tablet, $100 recurring credit per month for 24 months on an Optus Small Business Account and tech support.

“Optus recognises the immense scale of the recent bushfires and the many hurdles for the communities affected by the disaster,” Optus Chief Executive Allen Lew said.

“With the Green Shoots grants we are committed to working alongside small businesses hardest hit and helping them on the road to recovery.”

Optus has been working hard throughout the bushfires to maintain and restore services, collaborating with local governments and agencies and supplying services with satellite and mobile small cells where sites had been damaged by fires, Lew said.

“We understand that rebuilding communities will be a long and daunting process, which is why we are acting now to do what we can to support these small businesses in getting back online and reconnecting with their communities,” CEO Designate Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said.

“We encourage small businesses affected by the bushfires to apply for the program so together we can ensure these businesses thrive again and safeguard local jobs.”

Grant hopefuls can submit applications until 31 March 2020. Details on eligibility and selection criteria can be found via Optus’s website.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Daria Ni