Commerce programs get State backing

THREE days after the latest round of COVID lockdown lifted, Commerce Ballarat became the recipient of a State Government grant to help local and regional businesses recover from the pandemic.

The peek business organisation is getting $300,000 from the Regional Recovery Fund with the money is set for a range of industry and professional development workshops, as well as business confidence activities.

“We’ve got a variety of programs that are going to be rolled out right across the seven shires that are involved in this,” said Commerce Ballarat CEO Jodie Gillett.

“Some of the programs we’re doing here locally, like Be More Digital, which will be free mentoring in the digital space for small businesses in affected areas – hospitality, retail, gyms, day spars, those sorts of areas that have been hit so hard.”

While some of the supported activities, like the Be More Digital, Business Transformation Workshops, and Ready, Set, Grow! are already up and running, new offerings will be developed in consultation with stakeholders.

“We’ve made contact with the economic development units in each of the seven shires, and also with the local business groups,” Ms Gillett said.

“Because of our involvement with the Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance we’ve built really close relationships with business groups across the state, and in particular the Grampians region.

“We’ll be using that to help roll this out to businesses.”

Some of the money will also go towards highlighting the challenges and achievements of the region’s diverse business community.

“We’re looking to start and deliver what we’re calling the Grampians Business Film Festival,” Ms Gillet said.

“We’ll be looking for those innovative businesses in each shire… telling their story in a video, and then bringing them altogether to watch the videos and vote on the most innovative.”

The $300,000 for Commerce comes on top of a $50,000 commitment in late 2020 as part of the Grants for Business Chambers and Trader Groups program.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said supporting business groups and key sectors was an vital step on the pathway to COVID recovery.

“Today’s announcement is important for small businesses and businesses across the Grampians areas,” she said.

“This is an important investment in our local community. We know business is the heart of our local economy and we need our local businesses to grow and thrive.”