Helping grow our region’s economy
I’VE now been in the role of CEO of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) for two months and I often get asked “What does TSBE do?”.
I thought it was a good time for me to give a description of TSBE’s role. In summary, TSBE exists to help grow the economy of the region. We do this primarily by linking local business with opportunity.
TSBE is a member organisation and our members have access to the opportunities that TSBE generates. We have a large membership base (about 500 businesses) which means we represent a large percentage of the local economy and have a powerful voice.
We receive funding and work closely with the Toowoomba Regional Council to help deliver growth to the Toowoomba region.
We also have a strong partnership with the Western Downs Regional Council and work with the Maranoa and Southern Downs Councils.
Initially TSBE was focused solely on the gas sector to ensure that the large gas companies which operate in the Surat Basin to our west were buying products and services from TSBE members.
Now TSBE focuses on all major projects such as the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, Inland Rail, the renewable energy sector as well as the gas sector to make sure the companies behind these projects are buying their goods and services locally.
TSBE’s role as an economic driver has expanded over the last few years to include agriculture, which is an important part of our economy.
TSBE set up a subsidiary company called Food Leaders Australia (FLA) to focus on opportunities in agriculture.
The recent Star Group workshop is a great example of FLA’s work in this area where FLA introduced 20 local agricultural companies to the Star Group who will have 90 restaurants in the next three years within a twohour drive.
TSBE is now also working in the health sector which is where I get a lot of questions such as “what does health have to do with TSBE and growing the economy?”.
My answer is that the health sector is the largest employer in our region with over 10,000 staff. Just one per cent growth in health can have an enormous benefit to the region’s economy. If you have any questions about TSBE or would like to get in touch, please contact me on ali@tsbe.com.au