Three business and community support organisations across Wyong and Ourimbah have been allocated government funding to participate host events as part of Small Business Month.
Business Wyong (Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce), Central Coast Industry Connect Limited and Iris Foundation Australia Limited, which counts among its many mental health and support initiatives the We Care Boutique, are part of a cohort of 221 NSW organisations which have received up to $3,500 each.
Recipients of the grants can also attend Small Business Month events including: a forum at Sydney’s ICC to check out specialised technology solutions; an ‘Instagram for Business’ workshop; and virual workshops that show how to maximise customer, or client, engagement online.
Central Coast Industry Connect, via its role in the Hydrogen Food Cluster, recently brought together several food companies on the Coast, including Mars, in a pilot to trial hydrogen as an energy source.
Iris Foundation was chosen as a finalist in Business NSW’s Central Coast Regional Business Awards in 2021, recognised in the category of ‘Outstanding Community Organisation’.
Minister for Small Business Eleni Petinos said NSW Small Business Month is a great way to showcase the quality of diversity of small businesses that are the lifeblood of hundreds of local communities across NSW.
“There are over 800,000 small businesses in NSW, employing 1.6 million people and contributing more than $400B to the state’s annual sales and service income.
“The small business sector has done it tough during the COVID-19 pandemic so it’s great to see this level of interest in hosting events to help small businesses bounce back and build a stronger future,” she said.
Organisations can still sign on as a Small Business Month collaboration partner and host an event to help small businesses and promote their brand. To date, more than 80 organisations have signed on as partners.
More information is available at www.smallbusinessmonth.nsw.gov.au
Nicola Riches