Your weekly COVID-19 Update from Enterprise North Canterbury

Dear Guest

Cashflow is the Lifeblood of Every Business

To support our region's businesses negatively affected by the impacts of COVID-19, today we are announcing a $400 grant that will be made available through Enterprise North Canterbury.

The grant, available to Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura businesses, is to be used as a subsidy for businesses to receive Cashflow Forecasting Advice. With the announcement of the ‘Tax loss carry back scheme’ yesterday, businesses need to have a sound understanding of their cashflow, which will help inform their discussion with Inland Revenue, as well as preparing for the different scenarios for their business sustainability over the coming six months.

Businesses that use one of these local accountants who have partnered with ENC, will receive an additional $400 of support, thanks to the partners’ own contribution of time. Businesses that wish to use their own accountants will still be eligible to access the $400 grant through Enterprise North Canterbury, as long as the accountant is Canterbury-based (support local).

This programme is made available with support from ENC and the Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura District Councils and is for businesses who have staff (between 3-15 employees). ENC has limited funds and this will be for a limited time only. Please note: this grant is not paid to the business, it is paid directly to the service provider.

Please complete this form to get receive an updated management cashflow forecast tailored to your business.

Kind regards,

Heather Warwick, CEO

How ENC Can Help Your Business

As outlined above, today ENC has launched the ENC Professional Services Grant for small to medium businesses in Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura who have been negatively affected by COVID-19. Find out more or apply here >>

The Enterprise North Canterbury COVID-19 Business Response webpage is regularly updated with information and support resources.
During regular business hours, ENC's business-related COVID-19 email address office@enterprisenc.co.nz has a response time of 24 hours maximum. Email us if you would like to arrange a one-on-one assessment to discuss your business's immediate and short term needs, or to discuss access to available funding to support your business.
If your non-food business is trading/delivering during lockdown, please let us know so we can add you to our North Canterbury Business Directory. Food & Beverage businesses should fill in the North Canterbury Food & Beverage Directory form.
Looking for staff? We can help you by listing your vacancies for free on our website and sharing any urgent vacancies via our Facebook page and/or weekly newsletter. To list your job on our website fill in this form.

Latest Business Information & Updates

Later today the Government is expected to announce what business will look like under Level 3. Minister of Finance Grant Robertson has said the focus for businesses will move away from "essential" economic activity to what is "safe". Whilst we don't yet know exactly what that means we encourage all businesses to begin preparations for a change to Level 3 as best they can.

Yesterday the Government made a number of business-relevant announcements including a tax loss carry-back scheme, measures to support commercial tenants and landlords and further business consultancy support. Read all the announcements and what they mean here >>
During COVID-19 NZTE and MBIE are covering the registration fees for small businesses and social enterprises seeking mentoring support through Business Mentors. To access mentoring support visit the Business Mentors website and use code 'COVID' to bypass their payment system.
The Regional Business Partner (RBP) Network is distributing $1.5m from the Government’s business response package to businesses through the RBP COVID-19 Advisory Fund. Businesses can access the fund to pay for one-on-one advice and support in matters of HR, health & wellness, business continuity planning or finance & cashflow management. To be eligible for funding, businesses will need to have registered on the RBP Platform. One of our local RBP Growth Advisors will then contact you. Funding will be at the discretion of the Growth Advisors with the aim to provide funds to as many eligible businesses as possible. Find out more here, or if you have registered on the RBP Platform email the ENC Growth Advisors to arrange a phone appointment.
FoodSouth is offering emergency assistance to food & beverage businesses. Find out more here >>
The Government has agreed to relax visa conditions for a short period to allow temporary migrants and international students to further assist with our essential services during the COVID-19 response. Get more information here >>
Immigration New Zealand has issued some information specifically for migrants and refugees, including their employers, during COVID-19.
If you missed any of The Chamber's recent COVID-19 webinars for business you can sign up to view a full recording of them online.

A reminder that ANZAC Day is coming up, so here is some information from Employment NZ around public holiday pay for non-essential workers.

Good News

With all the uncertainty and bad news circling around, we're including a good news story each week to help keep the spirits up and to share stories of local businesses doing great things. If you have a good news story about your North Canterbury business, please get in touch with amelia@enterprisenc.co.nz to discuss ways we can get your story out to the public. This week - The Kite Support App:

Amberley-based learning and development coach Kathryn Jackson of careerbalance Ltd has helped to launch a new app aimed at supporting the mental health and wellbeing of leaders, employers and employees through COVID-19 and beyond. Kathryn has brought to the role her experience in supporting the resilience, wellbeing and mental health of professionals through challenging times.
Read the full story here >>

Contact ENC

As always, Enterprise North Canterbury is here to support and provide advice to businesses in North Canterbury. Our Business Support team is working tirelessly to respond to all enquiries from local businesses, helping people to access the information and support that they need at this difficult time.

To contact ENC please email office@enterprisenc.co.nz. Your email will be directed to the appropriate person to deal with your specific enquiry.
Visit our COVID-19 page for regularly updated information from multiple sources.
Follow us on Facebook for regular updates as they come to hand

We would like to take the time to thank our generous sponsors. Like you, these sponsors are businesses facing uncertain times. Their support to date means that ENC can continue to support and provide assistance to North Canterbury businesses like yours.