BUSINESSES are expressing their gratitude to the council for its work during the pandemic.
Braintree Council has distributed a total of £54 million in business grants since the Government's financial support began.
Grants ranging from £500 to £25,000 from 12 difference schemes have been paid to help businesses impacted by lockdown and restrictions.
During this period more than 10,700 grants have been given.
Managing director of Compliance Labelling Solutions in Braintree , Matthew Day said the financial support has been "invaluable".
He added: "We experienced a sharp decline in revenue when the initial lockdown was announced and when the local restrictions were put into place.
"A special thanks to the team at the council for helping us access the right support and getting us through what has been a challenging time.”
Essex County Council financed two out of the 12 grants to help businesses outside the scope of the other schemes.
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These grants have been vital to help ensure the survival of shops, restaurants, hotels and lots of small businesses.
Witham based Team Kinetix and the Essex Gliding Club in Ridgewell were also successful applicants. Their grants, paid for by Essex County Council, allowed them to buy safety equipment to keep their businesses Covid-19 secure.
Cllr Tom Cunningham, deputy leader and cabinet member for economic growth at the council said: “Since the restrictions began last year, we have helped thousands of businesses, across a number of different sectors, access much needed financial support.
"We have worked hard and played our part in getting the grants paid out quickly and efficiently in order to preserve as many businesses and jobs as possible.
"As well as supporting businesses with grants, we have also helped over 1,000 businesses access advice, training and support through the referrals made to our local growth hubs and business partners.”
Support also included the suspension of £18.8 million in business rates to 864 retail, hospitality and leisure businesses and 21 nurseries.
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