Broken Hill has secured much-needed funding under the latest round of the Government’s Energise Enterprise program.
Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries said this vital support will help community organisations invest in new opportunities and stimulate jobs growth.
“This federally funded program delivered in partnership with the State Government is assisting communities impacted by water buybacks and helping to diversify their economies and transition to other non-irrigated industries,” Mr Coulton said.
Mr Coulton said a total of $137,500 will go towards projects that promote Broken Hill and Central Darling businesses and stimulate these economies.
“The projects vary from business training workshops to hiring specialist visual merchandising consultants to creating a technology start-up incubator,” Mr Coulton said.
Mr Humphries said Broken Hill City Council, Broken Hill Chamber of Commerce, Regional Development Australia Far West and Riverina Murray BEC had put forward some innovative projects for the region.
“I want to congratulate the successful applicants, I know first-hand how hard our local businesses and community groups have worked to secure their respective funding,” Mr Humphries said.
Local projects funded under the Energise Enterprise Fund are:
Business Capacity Building – Broken Hill Chamber of Commerce – The project will deliver 4 workshops and 20 hours of personal support sessions in order to educate business owners in Broken Hill about how to retain, motivate and support staff. $25,000.
Economic Diversity Wilcannia – Broken Hill Chamber of Commerce – A specialist will engage with the Wilcannia community to create a business plan for a local market in Wilcannia. $23,000.
Building Business Skills – Riverina Murray BEC – the project will engage a specialist visual merchandiser and sales training specialist to consult with and advise business owners in Broken Hill. $23,000.
Business Boot Camp – Riverina Murray BEC – the Boot Camp Program consists of five workshops delivered by five expert presenters plus five individual mentoring sessions over four or five months. $21,700.
Far West Proud – Regional Development Australia Far West – this project will market and promote the Far West across to build pride, encourage participation, engagement and local spending in the Broken Hill region. The project will showcase the Far West as a destination to consider for investment and relocation. $19,800.
Outback Digital Screen and Media Collective – Regional Development Australia Far West – This project involves the creation and promotion of a Digital Economy Cluster including a business hub and technology start-up incubator. $25,000.
“These projects will bring significant economic benefits to the region, which will help ensure we have a thriving local economy for years to come,” Mr Humphries added.
Federal Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash said that the Coalition Government was committed to basin communities doing it tough as a result of the Murray Darling Basin Plan and the Murray-Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Program, as well as the cap on water buybacks, represents this strong commitment.
“As a Minister who is based in the Basin, I understand just how vital it is to protect both the economic and social interests of Basin communities,” Ms Nash said.
“The Coalition is committed to investing in projects like this that will diversify and strengthen the local economy.”
New South Wales Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Development, Skills and Small Business, John Barilaro, said the Energise Enterprise fund has been designed specifically to help regional communities create local jobs and to find new ways of investing and doing business.
“This funding provides support which will ensure the future of local regional communities, where our spouses have a place to work, our children can attend a good school and where the local grocer will still greet us with a smile when we do our weekly shop,” said Mr Barilaro.
“Many projects already funded from previous rounds of the Murray Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Program are delivering great results for local communities, and I congratulate the recipients on the hard work they continue to put in to secure this funding.”
Media Contacts
For Minister Nash: Les White 0409 805 122
For Mr Barilaro: Kailee Shaw 0408 389 549
For Mark Coulton Amy Welham 0448 477 830
For Kevin Humphries Penelope Merriman 02 6792 1422
