Group ready to get down to business
A steering group with various business owners has been formed with a mission to formulate a Business Association.
Spokesperson Damon Jakeman said there is a wide sector of different business types within the community on board who first and foremost want to give the town’s businesses a collective voice.
The steering includes Damon Jakeman, Theo Duyvestyn, Karen Forbes, Alan Sinton, Frank Aerts, Chris Bailey, Tim Nicholson, Lorraine Young, Maryanne Mathis, Gary Brunton, John Waldon, Lynne Martin, Alan Wilson and Larry Sullivan.
Jakeman said their starting point was to decide a mission.
‘‘That is to be a collective voice and to support all businesses and promote the Tokoroa area.’’
He said objectives included promoting and supporting business, and Tokoroa itself.
‘‘At this stage we are just the steering group and we will hopefully get support from the business at a meeting next Wednesday to go ahead and get a business association type organisation up and running. We will be looking for the Tokoroa business community to take control and the members will decide on what direction it will take.’’
The steering group is made up of representatives from the logging industry, trucking and transport, retail, professional services, engineering, accommodation, food, forestry and contracting businesses within the town.
Engineer Frank Aerts from SWIPE said it has been a long time coming.
‘‘There is and has been for years the need for a collective business voice, for too long there have been things happen within the town that would have benefited from the input of some business expertise.
‘‘Often the case of an individual speaking out under their own steam creates the impression of someone wanting to benefit their own cause. As a collective we will have more credence and strength.’’
Jakeman said the timing is perfect, if not 10 years too late, for businesses to come together.
The functions and direction will be decided by its members from all sectors of business. Each sector has its own issues, strengths and weaknesses and it is hoped that by coming together under one umbrella everyone will benefit, he said.
The meeting on July 16 starts at 6.30pm at the Sports and Event Centre is open to all business stakeholders.
While an attempt will be made by those in the steering group to invite them individually there will be those that may not be contacted, Jakeman said.
‘‘Please come and listen to what is being mooted and hopefully support the concept we are thinking can be formulated. This is in its infancy but we would love to have as many and as broader spectrum of businesses on board from the start. There are some issues and some exciting developments happening right now in the town and the business community should be involved in them. Everyone, business, the town and the community will benefit because of it.’’