Big cash boost for regional chambers

TASMANIA’S regional businesses will be bolstered by a new support package.

Small Business Minister Sarah Courtney has announced a $100,000 support package for Tasmanian chambers of commerce to be allocated to organisations across the state, with each to receive more than $8300.

“These funds will support activities and services identified by each of the chambers as essential to their region and includes administration support, localised marketing campaigns, enhanced social media promotion, digital video conferencing and the development of regional recovery action plans,” Ms Courtney said.

One of the recipients was the George Town Chamber of Commerce, and its president James Cameron welcomed the assistance.

He said the chamber’s plan

for the funding was to improve its online database of businesses in the area.

“The funds available now will be used to employ somebody to actually curate that database,” he said.

TCCI chief executive Michael Bailey welcomed the support.

“These bodies do huge work in our local communities and they’ll be increasingly important as we move out of the crisis

phase into the recovery,” he said.

Further recipients were Break O’Day, Business NorthWest, Central Coast, Devonport, King Island, Northern Midlands, Sorell, Flinders Is, North East Tasmania, Stanley, Orford and Triabunna.

The grants are in addition to the Government’s Stimulus Package, which so far has supported more than 14,500 Tasmanian businesses.