$1m boost for regional WA

Regional businesses in Western Australia will be eligible for up to $50,000 in grants from Horizon Power, as part of a new community partnership program.

The $1.1 million initiative is intended to support the state's regional communities in their post COVID-19 recovery.

Individual businesses will be eligible for up to $10,000 in funding, and multi-region non-for-profit organisations for up to $50,000, to support ongoing community programs and one-off initiatives or events.

Organisations that can demonstrate financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic will be eligible for the grants.

Round one applications are open from today until September 4.

The program is in addition to Horizon Power's $180,000 initiative, announced last week, to support eight regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA groups in their COVID-19 recovery.

Small businesses will be eligible to receive between $10,000 and $30,000 grants, as well as benefit from essential business recovery services including mentoring, planning and networking opportunities.

Horizon's community-led program Vibrant Regional Businesses was developed with the eight CCI groups comprising East Kimberley, Karratha & Districts, Carnarvon, Exmouth, Broome, Derby, Port Hedland and Esperance Chambers of Commerce and Industry.