Business Support Fund Now Open
City Rail Link Ltd (CRL Ltd) is pleased to announce businesses can now apply to receive financial support from the Targeted Hardship Fund.
In early September 2021, project Sponsors – Auckland Council and the NZ Government – announced the creation of a $12 million ex gratia Targeted Hardship Fund (the Fund) to support small businesses experiencing genuine hardship from major and sustained City Rail Link (CRL) construction disruption surrounding the Aotea, Karangahape and Mt Eden Station sites (within the C3 Affected Area).
The Fund is governed by high-level guidelines, which are set by Sponsors and establish fixed considerations with regards to the dates for eligibility and what the Fund is to cover.
To provide timely financial assistance to eligible businesses while the Fund’s detailed eligibility and assessment criteria was being developed, an Advance Interim Payment scheme was developed and administered.
Now that the Fund has been finalised, the Advance Interim Payment scheme has closed, and businesses will now be able to apply for the full Targeted Hardship Fund. All remaining Advance Interim Payment applications will still be processed. Any Advance Interim Payment a business receives will be deducted when calculating an applicant’s total Fund payment.
Information regarding the Targeted Hardship Fund, including eligibility criteria and the application form, can be found on our website at this link: cityraillink.co.nz/targetedhardshipfund.
The Fund will be managed by CRL Ltd, using an external project management specialist company TSA to administer the Fund on its behalf - in line with high-level guidance provided by project Sponsors.
CRL Ltd has a responsibility to be financially prudent with the management and allocation of public funds, likewise, CRL Ltd expects a high volume of Fund applications – so we thank our neighbours in advance for their support and patience surrounding the Fund’s implementation.
Businesses are encouraged to send through any queries about the Fund or their applications, to TSA at C3Hardship@tsamgt.com.