Garden Route District Municipality once again empowers Small and Medium Enterprises with Equipment and Support
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Council has again supported Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) with a significant allocation of R600,000 in the 2023/2024 budget. This funding is geared towards interventions and needs of SMEs within the region.
During a formal handover ceremony held yesterday, 25 SMEs meeting the specified criteria were provided with equipment they need to grow their businesses.
The selection process for beneficiaries began with widespread outreach efforts, including advertisements in local newspapers and rural areas within the Garden Route. A total of 83 businesses responded to the call for proposals. Facilitated by the SEDA, the vetting, screening, and verification process ensured fairness and transparency. The Adjudication Committee, comprising Local Economic Development (LED) Managers, the Department of Agriculture, the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership (WCEDP), and the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT, carefully reviewed pitches from businesses and made recommendations.
During the ceremony, Alderlady Rosina Ruiters, Portfolio Chairperson of the Planning and Economic Development Department, welcomed attendees and highlighted the programme’s origins. Dr. Keith du Plessis, CEO of Casidra, expressed appreciation for the SME program, acknowledging its vital role in supporting small businesses, which are recognised as the backbone of many economies worldwide. “I want to take my hat-off to the GRDM for recognising the plea of the struggling SME’s, what these small businesses are facing, and what our programme assists with,” Du Plessis said.
Programme Director and Acting Manager of District Economic Development and Tourism Unit, Richard Dyantyi, emphasised the program’s focus on reaching rural businesses and collaboration with SEDA to provide ongoing support and assistance in marketing.
Read all about it here: https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/2024/03/26/26-march-2024-media-release-garden-route-district-municipality-once-again-empowers-small-and-medium-enterprises-with-equipment-and-support/