- The Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) has relaunched its advisory service in regional Western Australia
- SBDC Regional will now provide free advice and low-cost services to business owners across regional WA
- It’s part of an $18.1 million Cook Government investment over six years to ensure businesses across the State thrive
The Cook Government is proud to announce the relaunch of a free advisory service for regional WA businesses, as part of a more than $18 million investment to bolster the sector.
The Small Business Development Corporation will now provide more accessible support through SBDC Regional, which replaces Business Local regional.
It means small business owners can easily seek free advice on a range of topics from scaling up and digital marketing, to cyber security and dispute resolution. There is also support for those looking to start a new business.
A network of SBDC Regional business advisers who are part of the local community and have the expertise and resources are right now standing by ready to help either online, over the phone or in person.
In addition, business owners can take advantage of low-cost skills development workshops on topics tailored to the unique needs of their area, as well as the SBDC’s range of business tools and templates.
Altra Fine Foods in Karratha is just one regional business that has benefitted from SBDC Regional services, with the owners accessing specialist commercial tenancy advice in order to secure their lease.
Almost a quarter, or 57,337 of the State’s small businesses, are located outside the Perth metropolitan area.
The Cook Government is focused on continuing to help small businesses thrive.
SBDC Regional will operate in East and West Kimberley, the Pilbara, the Mid West and Gascoyne, the Wheatbelt, Peel, South West, Great Southern, Esperance and Kalgoorlie-Boulder/Goldfields.
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As stated by Small Business Minister Jackie Jarvis:
“Regional small businesses are well known for being the heart of their communities, and important economic generators for our State that create local jobs and diversify the economy.
“We know just how important it is for business owners to receive high quality advice from people who understand small business at key stages of their business lifecycle.
“This advice may not be as readily accessible in regional areas and we know that money can be tight in the start-up phase, and businesses may not prioritise paying for the advice.
“This is why the Cook Government is investing more than $18 million over the next six years, to ensure that regional small business owners can continue to access free small business advice from providers focused on their region, to set them on the right track.”
As stated by Small Business Commissioner David Eaton PSM:
“From the Great Southern and Esperance regions in the south, to the Pilbara and Kimberley in the north and every town in between, there are thousands of small businesses that create the fabric of each community.
“Running a small business is a big commitment, and we know that receiving the right advice at the right time, on matters from business planning and feasibility assessments to financials and sales and marketing, can make a significant difference to their success.
“Rebranding our service outside of Perth to SBDC Regional demonstrates that we are creating pathways for regional small business to tap into the best of both worlds – allowing them to obtain trusted, local business advice in their region and gaining access to specialist advice from our central office.
“I look forward to working with our regional providers to help support our fantastic small businesses in WA’s regions to start well, survive and thrive with the SBDC.”
