News & Media

Economic Development Office Newsletter - February 2018

Wed 28 Feb 2018

Regional Jobs and Investment Packages- South Coast Region 

Almost 1,000 jobsfor Gilmore thanks to major regional funding boost.  

• Successful projects in the Gilmore electorate announced under theRegional Jobs and Investment Packages
• The $220 million initiative is designed to stimulate job creation andinvestment in regional Australia
• Twenty-three projects will be delivered across the Gilmore electoratecreating almost 1,000 jobs

Minister forRegional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh said theinitiative was part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to drive economicgrowth and job creation in Australia’s regions – backing local businesses,their workers and their families.

“A range ofhigh-quality, potential initiatives were identified through an extensiveassessment process paired with community input – resulting in locally drivendecisions, delivering 23 job creating projects along the NSW South Coast,” DrMcVeigh said.

“The Coalitiondelivered 42,000 new jobs in regional New South Wales last year. We understandthe benefits that flow from greater employment opportunities and that’s why itis very pleasing to see that this announcement will help generate more than 350jobs during construction and nearly 640 ongoing jobs.

“The Coalitionstands for more and better paying jobs – this package will deliver up to 1,000jobs for the NSW South Coast community from Berry down to Moruya. “This means 1,000 families across the region confidently spending and investingmore in their local community,” Dr McVeigh said.

“We’re focused ondelivering a strong economy and thanks to this package, we have been able topartner with the private sector to deliver almost $55 million to the localeconomy, which means more spending, more opportunities and of course, morejobs.

“I must commend Ann Sudmalis for her tireless advocacy in driving thisprogram forward. There is no greater advocate in Canberra for their localcommunity than the Member for Gilmore.”

Federal Member forGilmore Ann Sudmalis said more than 60 applications were received for the pilotprogram, highlighting the importance of this initiative to local communities insupporting business and strengthening the economy.

“Thanks to almost$3 million through the package, the Cottee Group will be able to expand theircurrent facility, enhancing competitiveness and processing capacity, which willhelp springboard more world-class produce from the paddocks of the South Coastto the kitchens’ dining rooms and lunch boxes across the nation,” Ms Sudmalissaid.

“The Cottee Familyhas been a bedrock of the South Coast for more than five generations, thissupport allows the business to maintain its competitiveness and celebrate itslong and successful history.

“Others include astate-of-the-art shellfish hatchery, an in-country LM-STAR Avionics AutomatedTest System to maintain the Australian Air Force’s F35 Lightning aircraft, anda range of tourism projects – combined will provide hundreds of new jobs and astronger economy across the region for years to come.

“The South Coast isa major tourism draw card, with immense opportunities. The Coalition is backingthe New South Wales South Coast to confidently continue to grow and prosper.

“Jobs and growth isnot just a slogan its happening.” 

Leg up for Shoalhaven Business

The Economic Development Office of Shoalhaven City Council is  pleased with the Coalition Government's announcement of the successful projects submitted to the South Coast Regional Jobs and Investment Package.  There will be over $13M of Federal government funding spent in the Shoalhaven through this program - a program that is centered on job creation.   

The Economic Development Office assisted most of the successful applicants with their applications.  "The quality of the applications was so high that the assessing panel would have had a difficult time in determining the successful applicants," said Greg Pullen, Economic Development Manager. 

Through this program the federal government would provide up to 50% of the project cost.   "Many applicants requested far less than the 50%, putting up a much higher proportion of funding.   This shows how committed our businesses are about job creation and strengthening the local economy.  This funding scheme is fantastic for businesses, great for creating jobs and a wonderful boost for the Shoalhaven community." 

"Leveraging Federal government money that goes to support the local business community to deliver projects  will further establish that we are productive Shoalhaven" Mr Pullen concluded. 

Jobs for NSW
Jobs for NSW provides financial support to startups and emerging and fast-growth small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to scale and grow new jobs in NSW.

With a $190 million fund to invest over four years, Jobs for NSW offer a suite of financial products including grants, loans and loan guarantees to support industries and entrepreneurial businesses that generate sustainable jobs across the state.

Here are just three examples of assistance available through Jobs for NSW.

Regional Growth Loans - supports projects which involve the construction of new infrastructure, or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.  Direct loans ranging from $200,000 to $500,000 are available to eligible businesses with no interest payable. 

Building Partnerships Grants - Building Partnerships grants help revenue generating technology startups become the high-growth, job-creating businesses of tomorrow. The grants are designed to:

• complete pilot projects with key customers, providing evidence to accelerate market adoption of the company’s products or services
• fund new marketing partnerships here in Australia or overseas to develop innovative, new-to-market solutions.

The solution must use an enabling technology to address a compelling industry need or market gap.  Eligible businesses can receive up to 35% of approved project costs up to a maximum of $100,000.

Minimum Viable Product Grant - are designed to support promising startups with the funds needed to progress from a proof of concept stage to a minimum viable product.

The grants are aimed at startups that are yet to generate revenue to help them engage with a potential business customer, or channel to market, and create innovative solutions that address compelling industry needs or market gaps.

An MVP grant is a matched funding grant up to 50% of approved project costs, to a maximum of $25,000.   Successful grant applicants will receive 35% of the funding up-front and 65% after completion and validation of the MVP.

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program - Department of Education

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program provides financial incentives to employers to encourage them to offer apprenticeship opportunities. The program also offers Trade Support Loans to apprentices and an allowance for apprentices who need to move away from home to undertake an apprenticeship.

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program provides:

• Financial incentives to Australian employers to offer apprenticeship opportunities. The incentive payments are based on a skills shortage list of trades as well as a set of high priority occupations.
• A Living Away from Home (LAFHA) allowance to apprentices who need to move away from their parent’s home to take up or retain an Australian apprenticeship
• Access to an interest-free Trade Support Loan that helps apprentices with the costs related to completing their apprenticeship.

To find out more about the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives program, please click here.

Entrepreneurs Program - AusIndustry -The Entrepreneurs' Program is the Australian Government’s flagship initiative for business competitiveness and productivity. 

Click here for more information.

The program offers support to businesses through four elements:

• Accelerating Commercialisation - helps small and medium businesses, entrepreneurs and researchers to commercialise novel products, services and processes
• Business Management - experienced Business Advisers and Facilitators review business operations, including business direction, strategy, growth opportunities and supply chain. They provide a report with strategies for business improvement and work with you to make them happen.
• Innovation Connections - experienced Innovation Facilitators work with your business to identify knowledge gaps that are preventing your business growth. The outcome is an Innovation Facilitation Report.

Small Business Grants – NSW Office of State Revenue - is designed to encourage small businesses that do not pay payroll tax to employ new full-time, part-time and casual workers and expand their enterprises across NSW. The Small Business Grant (Employment Incentive) will provide employers up to $2,000 per new employee for businesses that don't pay payroll tax. 

To find out more click here.

Digital Marketing by The Business Sessions
Getting into Digital Marketing can feel like taking a dive into the unknown for a lot of small business owners, especially if you don’t spend all your time online yourself. But relax. Nobody starts at the deep end, nobody has all the answers before they begin and, even better, getting going is probably cheaper and quicker than you might think.

During this interactive workshop we will cover:

• What is Digital Marketing?
• 5 Steps for Setting your Digital Marketing Strategy
• GOOGLE ADWORDS explained
• The Best Digital Marketing Techniques

And you'll walk away with some really cool Digital marketing tips and tricks!  Courses available at Nowra and Ulladulla

Shoalhaven City Council - Nowra course dates
Digital Marketing Part 1 - 6th March
Digital Marketing Part 2 - 4th April

Shoalhaven City Council - Ulladulla course dates
Digital Marketing Part 1 - 9th March
Digital Marketing Part 2 - 5th April

Email sue@thebusinesssessions.com.au to find out more.

NDIS - Being Profitable by the Southern Region Business Enterprise Centre
Do you know how much it costs to deliver your product or services? Do you know how much profit you make?

Be at the forefront. Making the NDIS work for your business!
Nowra - Shoalhaven City Council 
9th March
Click here to register

Shoalhaven - by the numbers

In the 10 years to December 2016 the population had risen by 12%.  Employment for the same period had risen by 15% and unemployment had declined by 9%.

In the 12 months to September 2017 there were four quarters of employment growth for a total increase in jobs of 1033.  Consistent with this growth is the fact that the Gross Regional Product of Shoalhaven has risen to $5.750 billion as at December 2017, an increase of 17.4%.  

This figure represents a GRP/worker of 160,831, a little below the NSW per worker figure of $171,738.  

Economic Development Office

Contact the Economic Development Office on telephone: 02 4429 3388 to speak with:

• Greg Pullen – Economic Development Manager
• Marianne Jones – Economic Development Officer
• Rianna Burgess – Economic Development Administration Officer

Click here to access Shoalhaven City Council Economic Development Website