EIGHT local businesses have received a share of more than $17,000 of financial assistance from Gunnedah Shire Council through the second round of council’s business partner program.
Representatives from some of the successful businesses gathered at council chambers to accept their share of the available $17,975 at a ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.
Among the successful applicants was Kate Johnson who told The Namoi Valley Independent the funds would go towards marketing her new specialised property management business.
“So when I decided to make the move from real estate to starting Managed by Kate I covered most of the start-up costs,” Ms Johnson said.
“Luckily for me I could afford to do that, so now some of the funds from this program will go towards reimbursing some of those costs as well as beginning to market my business in ways such as advertising and branding.”
Miss Johnson said members of the Gunnedah Chamber of Business and Commerce encouraged her to apply for the program.
“I do some work on the chamber’s executive committee and everyone else on the committee floated the idea to me when I first mentioned going out on my own,” she said.
“They are smart business people and were aware of the huge amount of start-up costs for new businesses and they strongly suggested it.
“I hadn’t thought too much about it before they suggested it but once I decided to go for it I spent a lot of hours putting my application together to get it just right and I am really pleased that it was successful.
“I would urge anyone thinking about going for it to give it a go, it's an awesome experience.”
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Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey was on hand to award the successful applicants and commended them for their commitment to local business.
“Communities like Gunnedah are dependent on small to medium-sized businesses to remain the backbone of the local economy and it is great to see eight local businesses become successful in receiving this support from council,” Cr Chaffey said.
“I want to congratulate all of the successful applicants and wish them luck in their respective businesses.”
Council’s manager of economic development Charlotte Hoddle said the program is designed to actively seek new business opportunities and assist in the expansion of existing businesses in the shire.
“We received 26 applications and are distributing $17,975 across eight local businesses,” Ms Hoddle said.
“It was very competitive and fantastic to see so many quality applications and initiatives from our business community.”
Round Three of the Business Partner Program is now open and applications close on 30 June 2018.
For more information visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or contact council’s manager of economic development Charlotte Hoddle on (02) 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
