A BUSINESS leader is keen to see a "mad rush" for southern border assistance grants after the NSW government made it easier to obtain them.
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The state administration this week dropped a ban on entities being able to access the relief if they had an Australian Business Number registered in Victoria.
Business NSW Murray-Riverina regional manager Andrew Cottrill welcomed the backdown.
"We were pushing for this change because it's logical that on a state border that many business owners will live in one state and operate in the adjacent state or have moved since starting a business (and registering an ABN)," Mr Cottrill said.
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The ABN switch has been accompanied by an extension to the October 18 deadline to apply for the grants.
Businesses will now have until October 31.
Mr Cottrill said the bulk of the $45 million allocated for the grants, aimed at helping southern Riverina businesses hurt since the border closure in July, had not been processed.
"We've had $10 million go out but we would hope we would have a mad rush towards the end and we get as many people through this is as possible," he said.
"We're continuing to lobby the government to return any unexpended funds to this southern border region to assist in the recovery for businesses affected by the border closures."
Those businesses with an ABN registered in Victoria will need to produce a rates notice or leasing agreement to prove their connection to NSW.
Grants can be sought through the Service NSW website with Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello saying the money could be used in a diverse way.
"Funds can be spent on things such as utilities, rent, financial and legal advice, and marketing and communications activities," Mr Dominello said.
State Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope also spruiked the grants in a government media release flagging the changes.
"This program is essential in helping keep businesses in business, and people in jobs as we set the state up for dynamic recovery," Mr Perrottet said.