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February Edition: 
  • Business and Industry Celebrations
  • Startup Gippsland
  • Local Economic Recovery Program 
  • Information for agribusinesses
  • Information for tourism businesses
Business and Industry Celebrations
Campaign success - Love Where You Live 

Small businesses across East Gippsland had a reason to be festive over the peak summer period as communities embraced Council’s Celebrate Where You Live marketing program and shopped locally at retailers hard hit by COVID over the past 12 months.   
 
The campaign launched early December just in time to drive local spending ahead of Christmas and for the community to celebrate all the reasons why life is great in East Gippsland. 
 
The program, coordinated by Council partnered with local Business and Tourism Associations across the region and saw musicians bringing joy to shoppers; stunning Christmas installations drawing people out of their homes and lifting spirits; outdoor musical performances in parks and gardens; and a health and well-being program designed to kick start your day.
 
Spendmap data showed an 11% uptick in local spending for the quarter supported by the buy-local campaign which saw over 500 entries to the ‘12 Days of Christmas’ competition and 60,000 Facebook engagements.  

Love Where it's Grown, Caught, Made - Get involved!
This FREE program creates opportunities for communities and visitors to engage with small-scale and craft sector farming businesses across the region, giving producer the opportunity to adapt to working collaboratively to promote their products and to establish an online presence.
 
If you’re a local producer with a farm gate stall, or a local artisan selling unique regional products, then visit  www.visiteastgippsland.com.au/taste for further information and fill out the registration form to get involved. 
 
2021 Victorian Tourism Awards - Winners are Grinners!
For over 30 years the Victorian Tourism Awards have showcased and recognised the state’s leaders in tourism excellence. Award winners and finalists were announced at the industry’s annual Gala Ceremony, where around 1000 industry stakeholders from across the state gather to celebrate and network. 

Congratulations...
Category: Self Contained Accommodation

SILVER - Beachcomber Holiday Units
The newest self-contained accommodation in Lakes Entrance, 
Beachcomber Holiday Units are newly renovated and ideally located for shopping and water activities.
An ideal spot for paddle boarding, fishing, water skiing, swimming and dolphin spotting.


Website: Beachcomber Holiday Units
Category: 3-3.5 Star Accommodation

SILVER - Sandbar Motel
Welcome to Sandbar Motel, where our goal is to make you feel at home. We believe that it's the little things that make a big difference . . . Unique. Fun decorations, original artworks, a look from the past with the comforts of home.

Website: Sandbar Motel
Category: Tourism Marketing and Campaigns

WINNER: Gippsland: All Kinds of Wonder
Destination Gippsland launched its rebrand, All Kinds of Wonder in late 2019. The brand has made Gippsland more competitive in the marketplace and is changing perceptions of the region to a diverse, all-encompassing destination that meets the needs of increasingly sophisticated visitors. 

Find out more youtu.be/iEoZ7CbfJTk
Startup Gippsland
Live Podcast - Launch Party!

Entrepreneurship is incredibly rewarding, but it can feel challenging and isolating, particularly if you live in a regional area.

INTRODUCING THE STARTUP GIPPSLAND LIVE PODCAST - your new home to hear the lived experiences of regional startup founders and leading experts.

If you’re looking for support, wisdom, a like-minded community, and of course, advice to help you launch, scale, and grow your business, you’ve come to the right place. To celebrate the arrival of the new podcast, we’re hosting a virtual launch party!

Book your ticket and come along to meet our guest speakers, get your questions answered, and most importantly, have fun!

Closing soon - Business Igniter Program
Are you ready to take action and launch your business in 2022?
The Business Igniter program helps to turn an idea into a real life product or service. Applications are open until midnight on Monday, 28 February.

Visit Startup Gippsland for further information on how to apply. 
Bootcamp - How to launch your business!

Many people grapple with how to turn their idea into a successful business. If this sounds like you, then the Startup Gippsland Bootcamp can help! The Bootcamp offers the opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to get a taste of the startup world, learning about the key business fundamentals and principles that are required to launch a business.

If you want to see what it takes to launch your business idea register your spot here.

Transforming Manufacturing with Industry 4.0
futuremap® Workshop

Adopting digital technology is becoming imperative for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in manufacturing and process related industries. This futuremap® workshop will help you explore alternative ways of creating value for your business and your customers and take a step in your digital transformation journey. The event will provoke your thinking and demystify how Industry 4.0 digital technologies, business model innovation and leadership can transform your business.

Further details of the workshops delivered in person can be found on the links below.
 
Bairnsdale International on Thursday, 10 March, 8:30 am – 11:30 am
Quest Sale on Friday,  11 March, 8:30 am – 11:30 am

Now open - Local Economic Recovery Program 

Bushfire Recovery Local Community Projects Grants

The final round of Local Community Projects Grants, funded under the Local Economic Recovery (LER) program, will fund local projects vital for community recovery in bushfire-affected regions. The grants are available for projects that build a sense of community pride and connectedness, supporting the critical role communities play in leading their own recovery. 

Applications are open until Monday, 11 April at 11:59pm.
For further information and how to apply visit www.vic.gov.au 

Business support 

Small Business Natural Disaster Preparedness and Resilience

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprises Ombudsman (ASBFEO) is coming to East Gippsland next week as part of a national tour to speak with small business owners about their needs for Resilience building and Disaster Preparedness as part of a Commonwealth inquiry. Forums will be held in Omeo, Mallacoota on Tuesday, 22 February and Bairnsdale on Wednesday, 23 February. 

For more information and to register Small Business Natural Disaster Preparedness and Resilience | ASBFEO
Backing Businesses Across Regional Victoria

Regional Industry Groups and Chambers of Commerce Program
This new program includes grants of up to $10,000 which will enable regional industry groups and chambers of commerce to host networking events and collaborate on ideas that help local economies recover from natural disasters.

The program supports non-for-profit, business membership-based groups to bring to life events that bolster local businesses and industries.

Successful recipients may host events such as guest speakers, workshops, seminars, conferences and industry award opportunities.

For more information visit: rdv.vic.gov.au/rigcc

WorkSafe Victoria WorkWell Program
Work is a big part of our daily lives, and it can help to prevent mental health difficulties by giving us a sense of purpose and contribution.

WorkSafe Victoria’s WorkWell Program has developed a free online toolkit to support Victorian Employers by providing a step-by-step approach with tailored support, practical actions, simple steps, and relevant resources to improve mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. 

To view a short introduction video on the WorkWell Toolkit, click here
Sign up today and start creating a more mentally healthy workplace.

For any WorkSafe specific enquires please contact WorkSafe Victoria’s advisory service on 1800 136 089.
Ongoing wellbeing and mental health support
Mental health support for Victorian small business owners include:
Partners in Wellbeing provides business owners access to free financial counsellors and business advisors. 
Telehealth services are available if you or your employees need additional mental health support. 
Beyond Blue has tips to help you run your business and information on managing your mental health.
Ongoing COVID-19 Support 
Commercial Tenancy Support Extended
Rent relief has been extended for small and family businesses experiencing financial hardship due to the latest wave of the pandemic. Find further information here or contact 13 87 22.

New COVIDSafe Plan template
A new template is now available to help you reduce the risk of COVID‑19 at your business and how you will manage a case in the workplace. Download the new template here
COVIDSafe Deep Cleaning Rebate
Rebates to help businesses cover the cost of cleaning after closing a worksite due to a suspected or confirmed coronavirus (COVID‑19) case. For more information click here

Victorian Business and Industry Advice
Find the latest information and advice on operating businesses safely and legally in any industry sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information click here

Information for agribusinesses

East Gippsland Field Days

Join the Field Days on 8-9 April at the Bairnsdale Aerodrome

These grants are available to fund projects that build a sense of community pride and connectedness in regions impacted by the 2019-20 Eastern Victorian bushfires. East Gippsland encompasses a diverse range of agricultural and rural industries, so there are many good reasons to be an exhibitor.

Visitors have the opportunity to see a vast range of products in one location.
An iconic event on the East Gippsland calendar, the Field Days have been proudly run by the Lindenow Lions Club since 1986.

Head to their website and find out how to become an exhibitor or to book your tickets.

AgriStarter Loan

The Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) AgriStarter Loans are now open. The AgriStarter Loan has two uses:
• supporting new farmers to purchase, establish or develop their first farm business, or
• assist existing farm businesses with succession planning arrangements.

The AgriStarter Loan allows up to $2 million to be borrowed over 10 years with at least 50 per cent of an applicant’s total debt required to be held with their existing bank. The first five years of an AgriStarter Loan are interest only, then the remaining five years are principal and interest repayments. The current variable rate is 1.92 per cent. For more information see: AgriStarter Loan

Information for tourism businesses 

Enabling Tourism Fund

The Enabling Tourism Fund supports regional and rural Victorian tourism projects to reach investment ready status, by funding activities such as feasibility studies, master planning and business case development. This fund is part of Victorian Government’s plan to accelerate tourism investment and recovery. Supported projects will be able to leverage private investment, employ more people, and attract more visitors by offering world-class experiences.

Applications for the Enabling Tourism Fund will be accepted until 11:59pm, Friday 4 March.

More details about the funding program and all guidelines can be found through Business Victoria.

Tourism Australia telling the world we're open again

Following the re-opening of Australia’s international borders on 21 February to all fully vaccinated visitors, Tourism Australia launching a campaign internationally to encourage travellers to book their next big holiday to Australia. Visit Tourism Australia for updates and information. 
Visit Tourism Australia for updates and information. 

Reminder -  East Gippsland Nature Based Tourism Forum

Register your spot for another forum scheduled for 17 March in Nowa Nowa (location to be confirmed). 
The forum is complimentary for tourism businesses based in East Gippsland. 

Get your tickets!

Get in touch

You can get in touch with the Economic Development Team by phoning 5153 9500 or via email.
 

Handy links

 
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The information in this newsletter is correct at time of publishing - please check each source carefully for up-to-date details. This newsletter is for information only, and does not constitute financial or legal advice.

Copyright © 2022 East Gippsland Shire Council, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are a registered business in East Gippsland, from time to time our Economic Development team at the Shire will forward information relevant to supporting the regions' business operators.

Our mailing address is:
East Gippsland Shire Council
273 Main Street
PO BOX 1618
Bairnsdale, Vic 3875
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