Gunnedah shire's retail businesses struggling with the drought will now be better supported by those in the cities through a new online hub.
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The state government, working with the founders of the #BuyFromTheBush and the #OneDayCloserToRain online communities, have created Buy Regional.
Buy Regional is an online hub that showcases regional shops and sellers together in one place, to make it easy for shoppers to find the perfect Christmas gift and support regional NSW.
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It's divided into six categories: wine, fashion, food, gifts for kids, art and design, and Christmas hampers.
Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce president Juliana McArthur said all of the shire's businesses should "join this great initiative".
"There's 123 local government areas affected by drought throughout Australia, so an initiative like [this] is only something you could support in a drought to assist small businesses in their efforts to continue trading," Mrs McArthur said.
"When ... businesses don't have the income to spend perhaps we can get people in the city to help stimulate our local economies, so it's fantastic that Facebook and the internet can generate this interest."
Deputy premier John Barilaro said he had heard the struggles small businesses were facing and this was "exactly what is needed while we wait for the drought to break".
"Every dollar you spend with a regional retailer or producer helps keep that small business afloat, supports jobs in that town and gets money flowing through the local economy," Mr Barilaro said.
Businesses are encouraged to join up and show off their wares to people from all over the state. The hub can be found at https://www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/regional-nsw/buy-regional-this-christmas/
#BuyFromTheBush was created to help businesses find new customers outside of their drought stricken communities.
#OneDayCloserToRain is connecting people on the land who are struggling with drought, providing a life line for those who need to share their stories. The group has launched a marketplace to help regional people create income streams by selling their locally produced arts and design work to city people keen to help.