SMALL businesses north of the Murray River are being offered $5000 or $10,000 grants for losses suffered through the border closure.
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The amounts are part of a long-awaited NSW government aid package which totals $45 million.
The $5000 is available to enterprises which have endured at least a 30 per cent decline in turnover, while to qualify for the $10,000 firms needs to demonstrate a 75 per cent fall in turnover.
That drop-off has to be since July 8 when the border closed and compared against a two-week period over March 30 to July 7.
Businesses that are based in councils that touch the border and have less than 20 full time or equivalent employees are eligible.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian acknowledged the wait for aid, with the announcement coming a month after her Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope visited Albury to learn of the hardship resulting from the border blockade.
"Thank you again to the border communities for your patience during this very difficult time," Ms Berejiklian said.
"We know people in border communities like Albury-Wodonga, Yarrawonga-Mulwala and Echuca-Moama usually move between towns, with closures having a significant impact on day-to-day business.
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"The NSW Government is investing in targeted relief to help ease the pressures and costs of keeping businesses open while borders remain closed."
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet suggested groceries and mechanics may benefit.
"The grants can be used to pay for unavoidable expenses such as utilities, as well as to develop marketing and communication materials or to diversify their offerings to help businesses adapt to the new environment," Mr Perrottet said.
Labelled the Southern Border Small Business Support Grant, the handouts will be available for six weeks, from September 8 to October 18, through the Service NSW website.
It is unable to be used to cover costs which may be already met through other government support, such as wages for staff eligible for JobKeeper.
More information is available through www.service.nsw.gov.au.
The package follows Deputy Premier John Barilaro visiting Albury on Thursday and meeting Border business figures such as Business NSW regional manager Andrew Cottrill, construction company owner Garry Zauner, Australian Industry Group regional manager Tim Farrah and Southern Cross Developers director John Tyrrell.
