The city\u2019s commercial and entrepreneurial representatives hosted a special guest last week as the Commissioner for Small Businesses, Lynda McAlary-Smith, visited Ballarat to check in on the business climate.<\/p>\n
Her itinerary included conversations with representatives at Bendigo Bank\u2019s regional offices as well as municipal representatives.<\/p>\n
She said she was impressed with the shared confidence of Ballarat\u2019s businesses with post-COVID recovery and how the city\u2019s institutions have supported owners.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe data that council has is really highlighting optimistic trading conditions in the region. Spend is up. Investment\u2019s up. There\u2019s obviously a lot of big projects happening too,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the things that has stood out for Ballarat compared to other places is the strength in the relationship across government with their support.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s almost the best of both worlds, you get the regional spirit and a certain amount of size with universities, big projects, Gov Hub. It\u2019s a critical mass.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Victorian Small Business Commission serves as a mediating service for entrepreneurs in areas of dispute.<\/p>\n
Ms McAlary-Smith said jobs shortages and inflation are prominent issues for Ballarat\u2019s businesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cBroadly speaking the businesses tended to be optimistic about the future but also staffing is a big pressure, either to run your business at all or to be able to grow,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
While attending a Jobs Victoria forum at the Goods Shed during her visit, she said she heard plenty of stories of Ballarat businesses bouncing back.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was one gentleman who had an intellectual disability who\u2019s been hired as a gardener. There was also a housekeeper from the Mercure who struggled with mental illness,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe session was around practical ideas around employment for the region and the opportunities to hire people who might need additional handholding and the benefit that can have for a business.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gardenia Magnifica was the final stop for Ms McAlary-Smith\u2019s Ballarat visit, and owner Ellie Feery said she felt she was heard when talking about her struggles to hire a permanent employee.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The city\u2019s commercial and entrepreneurial representatives hosted a special guest last week as the Commissioner for Small Businesses, Lynda McAlary-Smith, visited Ballarat to check in on the business climate. Her itinerary included conversations with representatives at Bendigo Bank\u2019s regional offices as well as municipal representatives. She said she was impressed with the shared confidence of […]<\/p>\n