Residents of Tamworth are now eligible to apply for an opportunity to spend $100 of taxpayers' money on meals or entertainment in what local businesses hope will be a $4.5 million boost for the city.
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Business NSW regional manager Joe Townsend said it was a signal the region would be able to spend their four $25 dine and discover vouchers very soon.
"We're in front of other regions, like Western NSW and a few other areas. The rollout will be really beneficial, given the end of JobKeeper next week," he said.
"I would assume that they've looked at our region and the disproportionate impact coronavirus border lockdowns had on us, and they made a decision to bring us in relatively early."
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Mr Townsend estimated the voucher would be worth $4.5 million for local business, in Tamworth alone.
About 17 businesses have already signed up to be eligible for the dine voucher - which pays $25 of the cost of food, but not alcoholic drinks. Just five tourism-related businesses are currently eligible for the discover voucher in Tamworth.
Williamsburg Director Luke Fielding said if the voucher is made spendable this week, it couldn't come at a better time.
"We are incredibly excited for the campaign. It's extremely timely with JobKeeper coming to a finish at the end of March," he said.
He said the sector is "tracking quite well" but there still needs to be sector-specific aid granted to industries that are particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Entertainment industry, music, travel, aviation, they all need big support."
Mr Townsend estimated the subsidy would be worth about $3.5 to the economy of the Armidale local government area, $1.7 million in Inverell and Gwydir, $1 million apiece in Moree and Gunnedah, $800,000 in Narrabri, $650,000 to Glen Innes', half-a-million in Quirindi and Tenterfield and $250,000 in Walcha.
The estimate is based on census data showing the number of residents over the age of 18.
The business NSW manager said he'd be using his $25 dine vouchers to get a surf and turf meal - but dinner would come alongside a drink or two paid for with his own money.
Tamworth residents will need to register to receive your voucher.
Dine vouchers can't be spent on the same occasion, and only from Monday to Thursday and not on public holidays. People can spend their two 'discover' vouchers at cultural institutions, live music, and arts venues, any day of the week.
The vouchers will be rolled out across the rest of the state in coming weeks.
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