Many have been unable to continue trading as a result of the changes, but the grants aim to prevent more closures.

The pandemic hit local cafe Chatterchinos hard, with owner Karin Hunt closing her doors at the beginning of April, naming the pandemic's impacts as one of the reasons.

Australian Bureau of Statistics show that 22 per cent of businesses in town are receiving JobKeeper payments.

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But Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce president Juliana McArthur said not all hope should be lost for the future of small businesses.

She encouraged local business owners to apply for a slice of two new grants, the first being $1 million in cashflow and support for cafe businesses.

The Harris Café Recovery Project aims to help cafe owners through these tough times, and has a simple application process to boot.

"A grant can help cafe owner pay bills, keep staff employed, keep some of the pressure off and know they have the backing of a coffee provider behind them," Mrs McArthur said.

Visit www.harriscoffee.com.au for information.

Non-cafe owners haven't been left out, either, with the NSW government calling on small business owners to apply for a $3000 Small Business Recovery Grant.

Breaking down the numbers, 419 residents are receiving JobKeeper payments in Gunnedah, with 245 businesses eligible for the payments.

With the scheme ending in September, Business NSW regional manager Joe Townsend said it was important to apply to stay financially viable.

"Those same businesses should be eligible for the $3000 restart grant. It's really important to capitalise on this, to get your business back out in the public and trading again," he said.

Small business owners who've had at least a 30 per cent reduction in turnover can apply.

"It's great to see they've changed the guidelines slightly because it used to be you had to show a 75 per cent reduction," Mrs McArthur said.

Apply via the Service NSW website before Sunday, August 16.