To support the activity of companies and associations strongly impacted by regulatory closures or slowdowns in activity linked to Covid-19, Nîmes Métropole has joined forces with the “L’Occal” system set up by the Occitanie Region. However, to date, too few companies in the territory of Nîmes have filed a case while the agglomeration has yet flagged 774,000 euros to help them. Do you need cash to continue or restart your business? Do you need to defer contributions? Are you eligible for “L’Occal”? Nîmes Métropole can help you.
Since March 2020, tourism companies – hotels, bars, restaurants -, commerce, events, culture and sport have been at the heart of the economic turmoil even though they largely ensure the attractiveness of our territories. Worth a total of 80 million euros for the whole of Occitania, the exceptional mechanism is therefore carried by the Occitanie Region, the Banque des Territoires, 12 departments, 2 metropolises and 151 intercommunalities, which are committed alongside side by side to accompany the relaunch.
Available on a metropolitan scale, this “L’Occal” system activates stimulus levers that make it possible to maintain or resume activity even in the event of a prolonged ban on opening. Through the “L’Occal” system, Nîmes Métropole therefore provides a concrete financial response to the problems that business leaders and associations encounter on a daily basis, by helping them with grants of 250 to 25,000 euros.
What aid is released under this system?
This system is made up of 3 distinct components:
- L’Occal 1 = cash assistance through repayable advances;
- L’Occal 2 = aid for relaunching, digitization and upgrading to health standards through grants to support tangible and intangible investments;
- L’Occal 3 = rental aid for businesses affected by an administrative closure, through exceptional subsidies.
To note that :
- These three sections can be combined: all you need to do is complete three files. Some shutters can even be dropped several times (until the ceilings mentioned are reached);
- This system is tacitly renewed every 3 months from November 2020; requests can be filed as long as the “L’Occal” system is renewed;
- The Nîmes Métropole Community Council will vote to strengthen component 3 of the “L’Occal” system at the next Community Council, which will be held on Monday, December 14, 2020.
What are the eligible sectors?
- Tourism and Agri / oeno tourism (including equestrian centers);
- Catering;
- Cultural activities, events and related to the promotion of heritage (Museums, cinemas, discotheques, places of visit…);
- Sports and leisure activities;
- Trade and crafts.
- Note that financial and insurance activities, as well as freight activities are excluded.
What types of companies and associations are eligible?
- Micro-enterprises or auto-enterprises (with a turnover of at least 20 K € for L’Occal 1);
- Very Small Enterprises (VSEs), ie companies employing less than 10 employees, and whose annual turnover and balance sheet total are less than 2 million euros;
- SMEs, primarily with fewer than 20 employees;
- Taxis (only flat rate for health investments under L’Occal 2)
- Municipalities and EPCI owners and / or managers of tourist and cultural facilities of local interest which represent a significant part of their annual revenues;
- Tourist offices for tourist facilities for which they manage the operation;
- Liberal professions;
- Associations employing one or more employees.
Note that for L’Occal 3 rent aid, the following are eligible only:
- Independent businesses with up to 10 employees – including franchises – having a commercial lease intended to welcome the public and which are affected by an administrative closure;
- Independent cinemas, up to 10 employees, whatever their legal status.
Where and how do I submit my file?
To check your company’s eligibility and find out the amount of advances or subsidies to which you are entitled, go to the Region’s web portal: https://hubentreprendre.laregion.fr or on the free number: 0 800 31 31 01
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