On Thursday the council released the names of businesses who received grants of up to $7000 as part of it's $8.9 million community care and recovery package launched in response to to the pandemic.

Grocery stores, churches, financial brokers, healthcare providers, a butcher and a pharmacy were among the businesses to benefit.

Much of the funding awarded was slated to be spent on creating new websites businesses could use to sell their products online. Other businesses also got funding to upgrade existing websites, make videos, access professional online marketing mentoring and plan campaigns that would see them pay overseas-based tech giants Facebook and Google for advertising. One business received money for a logo redevelopment.

RELATED COVERAGE:

Mayor Albert van Zetten said that via the grants the council was proud to have helped "local small business operators to adapt their business model so they can remain competitive in what is an already difficult market right now".

"We know there are businesses around Launceston who have been able to keep operating because of these grants, and businesses that have been able to keep employees on," he said.

"We're delighted that we were able to respond so quickly to the needs of businesses that are in danger of closing, and also those that needed a helping hand to adapt to changing conditions moving forward."

IN OTHER NEWS:

City of Launceston council chief executive Michael Stretton said businesses which received grants had demonstrated they met eligibility requirements.

"Businesses applying for the grants program were able to nominate a service provider, and it was a decision for individual businesses as to which service providers they chose to work with," Mr Stretton said.

"The council will report on service providers and appoint an independent auditor once grants acquittals are received."

Mr Stretton declined to put a timeframe on when the independent audit would be conducted.