Financial win for business centre
Regional business incubator Wimmera Business Centre has an extra $15,000 for promotional events.
The State Government has provided the money to help Wimmera businesses in an establishment phase and keen to grow.
Victorian Small Business and Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek announced the funding in Horsham as he met with local government and community representatives.
Wimmera Business Centre, at the southern end of Darlot Street, provides support to startup and home-based businesses.
Mr Somyurk said the funding was part of the Labor Government’s commitment to creating a fairer and more supportive environment for small businesses.
“Victoria is the best state in Australia to build a small business and we are focused on ensuring we provide our programs in all areas,” he said.
“By funding Wimmera Business Centre’s local events, the government is helping deliver tailored support for new businesses setting up in the region, to help them prosper and provide jobs.”
Horsham Rural City Council economic development manager Stephen Pykett said Wimmera Business Centre operated to provide a nurturing environment for businesses starting up in the region.
“This funding will ensure our offering extends to as many of them as possible so that they can contribute strongly to the local economy,” he said.
Some now-established small businesses in the Wimmera and beyond have used the business centre to gain a foothold in mainstream industry.
Figures show more than 600,000 small businesses operate in Victoria, representing about 98 percent of all Victorian businesses.
Australian Bureau of Statistics details showed Victoria recorded a 4.8 percent increase in the number of small businesses in the year to June 2018 – the highest growth rate in any Australian state or territory.
Mr Somyurek said by supporting the growth of small businesses in the Wimmera region, the government was helping these ‘key local’ operators generate new opportunities for their communities and boost the regional economy.