The council had initially planned to direct $60,000 to its Business Initiative Grant (BIG) program but extended it to almost $100,000 to support more businesses.

Mayor Tony Herbert said the response to the grants had been overwhelming.

For Fiona and Craig Hanks, who bought purified water operation Coastal Pure Water in March this year, the timing of the grant was ideal.

"We bought the business - which perfectly complemented our existing Cobden-based ice and Sungold dairy distribution business - then COVID-19 hit," Fiona said.

"To get through the pandemic we knew we needed to improve efficiency and become a COVID-safe operation.

"That meant improving our software systems so that we could offer our customers a convenient and quick no-contact delivery and invoicing service.

"We're using Warrnambool business Welcome Computers for the software update and this fits in with our own ethos which is to ensure that all the products we sell - dairy, water, ice - are sourced within the south-west.

"The BIG program grant will allow us to implement the software earlier than anticipated and that will mean we can put more time and energy into other parts of the business.

"Throughout the pandemic we have stuck to the rules, we've continued to serve our customers and we'll get through this."

The grants are part of the council's business support plan to help local business affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the spirit of the Get Around Warrnambool campaign, the grants focus on business growth, collaboration, entrepreneurship and developing new business strategies on a dollar for dollar basis.

Cr Herbert said local businesses had shown incredible innovation and initiative throughout the pandemic.

"These are challenging times and we understand the plight many businesses find themselves in," he said.

"But our local businesses have shown great spirit and business management and we are providing a helping hand with some financial assistance."

The projects funded through the BIG program range from developing an improved online presence to implementing precooked meal services and enhancing business processes.

A stipulation of the grants was that local suppliers had to be used where possible, in order to ensure the money stays local, creating a flow on effect for other local businesses.

Cr Herbert said by ensuring the use of local suppliers, more than 100 local businesses could benefit indirectly from the grants in addition to those receiving direct support.

"The grants were designed to have a multi-tiered effect on the local economy by encouraging everyone to think, support and spend local," Cr Herbert said.

Applications for the grants came from a range of businesses, including mechanics, accommodation providers, retail businesses and hospitality businesses.

"We wanted to encourage businesses to look beyond the current pandemic and plan ahead for the future," Cr Herbert said.

"While it is of course important to deal with current issues, we also wanted to make sure that people have medium and long-term plans in place that will allow them to grow and adapt their business going forward.

"Our Business Support Plan is more than a Band-aid grant to see businesses through the pandemic but a long-term strategy to grow Warrnambool's economy into the future."

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