Partnership Showcase
Shoalhaven City Council, through the Economic Development Office, partners with a number of organisations to deliver programs, business support and business training.
We have partnered with the Shoalhaven Business Chamber for many years. Currently we are partnering to deliver two exciting initiatives from the Chamber – Women in Business and the Lunch N Learn series.
Women in Business is the brainchild of the Shoalhaven Business Chamber and the Economic Development Office is proud to support this initiative. This is a group of strong, supportive and inspirational women. Their last event was a sell out success with the beautiful evening being held at Merribee with guest speaker Lisa Burling.
Previous events have included networking High Tea’s, Christmas in July, Networking Morning Teas and Cheese and Wine evenings. All of these events are well attended and the group is so welcoming. If you are a Woman in business looking to network in a supportive environment then Women in Business is for you.
The Lunch N Learn series consists of a number of lunchtime (catered) events where business people can network and learn about a variety of topics. Previous lunch and learns have included topics as varied as work safety, digital marketing, government grants and rebates, privacy laws and employment relations. The Chamber has two upcoming Lunch N Learn events. See the Business Training section below for more information.
Special Offer – for a limited time the Shoalhaven Business Chamber isoffering free membership for a year to businesses that have been operating forless than 3 years and have an annual turnover under $75,000.
Contact the Chamber on 02 4423 3582 or go to www.shoalhavenbusinesschamber.com.au to find out more.
Princes Highway Corridor Strategy - Issues Paper and public invitation to comment
The Princes Highway Corridor Strategy will develop an evidence base to underpin a ‘whole-of-corridor’ perspective of the current and future role of the Princes Highway, including economic, social and environmental factors. It will support meaningful engagement with industry and key stakeholders and provide the evidence necessary to allow governments to make informed investment decisions.
The Issues Paper is currently out for public comment and summarises the work to date in identifying issues and opportunities to be considered in the development of the Princes Highway Corridor Strategy.
The Paper has been developed with the input of a wide range of stakeholders and now is the time for the broader community, as users of the Princes Highway, to consider whether the paper has missed anything. Consultation will continue through until the end of April 2019.
Please see here to read the Issues Paper and for information about how to make a submission.
Grants & Financial Incentives for Business
Jobs for NSW - Jobs for NSW provides financial support to startups and emerging and fast-growth small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to build momentum and grow jobs.
With a $190 million fund to invest over four years, they 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.
Click here for more information about the suite of grants available to business from Jobs for NSW.
Boosting Business Innovation Program - The NSW Government has invested $18 million in the Boosting Business Innovation Program, giving small businesses access to research organisations to build strong local business communities and stimulate economic growth in metropolitan and regional NSW.
The program is boosting:
- a networked innovation ecosystem across NSW
- additional external funding
- small to medium enterprises (SMEs) who want to scale up and innovate
- the regional start-up sector and creating innovation clusters across the state
- access to high tech equipment and technical expertise research by SMEs and start-ups through TechVouchers.
For something a little different....
Innovation Connections
The Innovation Connections Facilitation service is free and includes access to a highly skilled facilitator. At the completion of your Innovation Connections Facilitation, and at the recommendation of your facilitator, you may subsequently apply for an Innovation Connections Grant.
Innovation Connections Grant
Provides businesses with access to a highly skilled facilitator, for the purpose of reviewing the business’ research needs. If required, the facilitator will connect the business to expertise within the research sector and help to define a project scope.
Up to $50,000 in matched funding support is available to the business, should it choose to fund the project with the recommendation of the facilitator.
Who can apply:
At a minimum, you must:
- be a for-profit, non-tax exempt company who is registered for GST and operating in Australia for at least three consecutive years
- have an annual turnover or operating expenditure between $1.5 million ($750,000 for remote Australia and Northern Australia) and $100 million
- meet the Growth Sector eligibility criteria
Cyber Security Small Business Program
This program provides businesses with 19 or fewer employees with a grant of up to $2,100 for a certified small business cyber security health check to determine business risk and areas that need attention. Participants will have their cyber security tested by a provider that has been approved by the Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers Australia New Zealand (CREST).
- The grant amount will be up to 50% of eligible project costs.
- Click here to find out more.
- Applications close 30 June 2020
Training for Business
The Economic Development Office of Shoalhaven City Council supports a range of business training and networking sessions throughout the Shoalhaven. Here are some of the Council sponsored training opportunities available to local business over the coming months.
Lunch N Learn - Savvy Solopreneurs – Shoalhaven Business Chamber and Shoalhaven City Council
How to smash it when you’re solo and have to do All. The. Things.
This Lunch N Learn session will cover:
- The journey
- The Mindset
- The Marketing
- The Handy Tools
…and how to do it all on a start-up budget!
- Venue: Quest Nowra
- Date: Thursday 28th March 2019
- Time: 12pm - 1pm
- Cost: Members free, $25 non member
Lunch Provided - Click here to book your spot
Lunch N Learn - Effective Human Resource Management – Shoalhaven Business Chamber and Shoalhaven City Council
Productivity, engagement and profitability are the results of following a balanced human resource framework. Whether your business is big or small, if you employee people, you will be looking to get a return on this investment.
This workshop will provide you with this framework.
- Venue: Quest Nowra
- Date: Thursday 18th April 2019
- Time: 12pm - 1pm
- Cost: Members free, $25 non member
Lunch Provided - Click here to book your spot
NDIS - Costs and Future Proofing - Southern Region BEC
This workshop is for small business owners and NFP managers who want to have a better understanding of your profit and loss under the NDIS.
You will discover how to identify what you need to earn to live a comfortable life and what is your ideal amount of time to spend in your business to achieve this. You will work out the best service configuration and number of billable hours to offset your costs and achieve your business goals. Costs of product and services will then be explored to ascertain the viability of your business model.
Participants will leave with:
- Knowledge of how to use the NDIS Price Guides effectively
- With the Knowledge Stacker tool, gain clarity of your projected income, expenses and profitability under the NDIS
- Ideas on how to create a surplus and diversify revenue streams for added business sustainability
A one-to-one follow up meeting is available to assist you further and embed the ideas/principles of the session. Workshop is FREE. Registrations are essential.
- Venue: Shoalhaven City Council
- Date: Friday, 31st May 2019
- Cost: Free
Click here to book your spot.
NDIS: Marketing to Connect with Customers – Southern Region BEC
A workshop for businesses wanting to offer their products or services to the NDIS marketplace, you will explore the basics of marketing, research and review your own product-to-market fit and discover ways to find and connect with your new NDIS customers.
Participants will learn:
- How to research your disability target market
- The basics of marketing principles
- The value of a good Customer Experience
At the completion of the session the participants will leave with:
- A draft of your marketing plan using the Business Development Canvas
- A list of the key NDIS stakeholders
- A clearly articulated Value Proposition for your business or NFP
A one-to-one follow up meeting is available to assist you further and embed the ideas/principles of the session. Please book with your local business advisor at the session.
Workshop is FREE. Registrations are essential.
- Venue: Nowra Library
- Date: Wednesday 3rd April 2019
- Cost: Free
Click here to book your spot.
#BeBOLD Business Success Series - Southern Region BEC
A must-do series for all business owners who want a fresh view of their business, this is an ideal opportunity to take some time out and look at your business from a bird’s eye perspective. Delivered over 3 Masterclass sessions, you will be guided through the key strategic and operational elements of business by experienced facilitators. Between sessions book a follow-up meeting with your local business advisor and further extend your learnings to identify and target the key areas you need to develop in your business to improve its’ performance.
Participants will learn:
- The 9 areas to focus on in order to build successful businesses
- Important Components of good Business Planning
- How to utilise Digital Tools and Social Media effectively in your Business
At the completion of the program the participants will have:
- Knowledge and awareness of the key elements for a successful business
- Useful and effective business planning and development tools
- A relationship with and on-going support from, your local business advisors
9 Steps to Business Success – Tuesday 16 April 2019, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Create Your 1-Page Business Plan – Tuesday 07 May 2019, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Digital Fitness & Social Media Marketing – Tuesday 11 June 2019, 9.30am – 12.30pm
All sessions are held at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery. PAY ONLY $59 –Registrations are essential.
Click here to book your spot.
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
- Sally Bacon – Economic Development Administration Officer
Click here to access Shoalhaven City Council Economic Development Website