More Covid-19 hardship cash on offer
Councils and regional governments offer grants
THE PROVINCIAL and regional governments are stumping up more cash to support the self-employed and businesses.
Finestrat town has received €34,917 from Alicante for its residents.
Mayor Juan Francisco Pérez explained: “A few weeks ago, more than 70 businesses from the town were able to benefit from municipal aid that the town council provided to help local businesses affected by the coronavirus.
“Thanks to the provincial government we can now offer more grants.”
Any self-employed person, micro-business or small business based in the municipality that was forced to stop their activity during the state of emergency can apply.
Likewise, all those who justify that they have reduced their billing by at least 50% during the months of March and April 2020 will be eligible.
It will also be possible to claim expenses for the rental of commercial premises or commercial vehicles, and bills for water, electricity or internet, as well as interest generated on any loan for the purchase of a commercial premises or a company car.
Furthermore, invoices for advertising and consulting expenses may be presented.
Applications for the grants must be submitted through Finestrat’s website – www.ayto-fi nestrat.es/tramites and then click on ‘sede electronica’.
Applications can be presented until September 9.
These grants are compatible with those recently awarded by council but interested parties who have received a subsidy or grant for the same purpose from a state department cannot apply for this new grant.
Last week Torrevieja town hall stated that affected residents and businesses in the municipality could ask for up to €2,000.
They noted that the guidelines would be published ‘during the last week of August’ and applications would be processed from that date.
Tourism business aid
Small businesses and self-employed people working in in the tourism sector and based in the Valencia region can obtain aid of up to €3,500 to help make them more competitive and adapt to Covid-19 requirements.
The regional government’s touristic competitiveness programme has a total budget of €521,124.
Beneficiaries will receive a free assessment to diagnose strategies which are suited to their specific situation, then can obtain financial aid to implement the proposed solutions.
Regional tourism secretary Francesc Colomer said: “This crisis has shown that all businesses need to be prepared to operate fully in the digital environment.”
Applications should be made through the region’s provincial chambers of commerce and all the information can be found on their websites.