Optus to support bushfire-affected regional areas with Green Shoots grants program

Optus is coming to the aid of small businesses that were affected by the devastating bushfires that ravaged Australian regional areas by announcing a grants program.

The Green Shoots grants program will allow Optus to support businesses impacted by the bushfires and help them get back on their feet by providing hardware, technology and services.

“Many regional towns have been affected by the bushfires and it will take significant time and resources for the affected small businesses and communities to rebuild and bounce back,” says Optus CEO Allen Lew.

“We are focused on rebuilding and reconnecting the engine room of the Australian economy – small business – in bushfire affected regions.”

During the bushfires Lew said Optus had been working to maintain services and restore tower outages while working with local government and agencies.

Green shoots are the first sign of regrowth and Optus CEO Designate Kelly Bayer Rosmarin says the grants program will offer the boost that will help re-establish small businesses as well as support their ability to get back online and reconnect with their communities.

“All of us at Optus want to inspire optimism in regional Australia and give the impacted communities hope and belief for the future,” she said.

“That’s why we will be supporting small businesses, the driving forces of growth within the rebuilding regional economies.”

Optus will offer 2000 grants from the Green Shoots program from February 17.

The program will include:

– A technology pack which includes one complimentary tablet and up to two years Optus mobile plan and/or fixed internet service.

– Making available our dedicated tech support team based in Australia for small businesses

– Optus to extend its staff volunteer programme to enable its staff to support small businesses affected by the bushfires to get back on their feet.

Eligibility and selection criteria details will be revealed on the Optus website on February 17 along with details on how to apply for the grant.

Small businesses which have been affected by the can contact Optus at www.optus.com.au/bushfiresupport.