Small business micro-credit scheme expands from Newcastle
The NSW Government is injecting a further $100,000 to help foster small business growth in the State and expand its micro-enterprise credit program in 2010. The micro-loan program for small businesses will also expand from two to six regions.
Minister for Small Business, Peter Primrose, said at the launch of the expanded scheme that "This is a great program for entrepreneurs with low income and little or no security to get access to affordable business capital up to $20,000."
The National Australia Bank partners the program. It has committed more than $100 million in credit to expand the program. The loans have supported 136 businesses so far with about $1.9 million currently on loan.
The government has committed an additional $100,000 to top-up the loans to support recipients with training, business planning and mentoring.
Currently, small businesses in the Hunter and Macarthur regions can access the program. From 2010 the program will be extended to Wagga Wagga, Orange, the Central Coast and Parramatta through local Business Advisory Services (BASs).
Businesses eligible for loans received further in-kind support from the Government to the value of about $1,200, which was matched by NAB. This means eligible small businesses can get assistance worth up to $2,400, on top of their loan, towards practical services to help develop their business skills and grow their enterprise.
The micro-credit program was the winner in the Best Socially Responsible Product category of Money Magazine’s Best of the Best Awards in 2008 and 2009.
For more information:
Eastern Suburbs Business Enterprise Centre
Level 19, 323 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000
City: 9089 7606 or 9089 7606
Blacktown: 9687 6944 or 9687 6944
Bondi Junction: 9089 7606
www.clearlybusiness.com.au
Macarthur Business Enterprise Centre
Level 8, 171-179 Queen Street Campbelltown NSW 2560
Liverpool: 9821 1922 or 9821 1922 .
Smeaton Grange: (02) 4647 5481 or (02) 4647 5481
www.macarthurbec.com.au
Central Coast Business Enterprise Centre
Unit 8.2, First Floor, Zenith Business Centre, 6 Reliance Drive, Tuggerah Business Park NSW 2259
Tuggerah: (02) 4355 4885 or (02) 4355 4885
www.centralcoastsmallbiz.com.au
Hunter Business Centre
265 King Street, Newcastle West NSW 2302
Newcastle: (02) 4925 7700 or (02) 4925 7700
www.businesscentre.com.au
Workcover’s safety solutions rebate and activities guide
Jane Anderson (WorkCover NSW) recently spoke at an Illawarra Innovative Industry network meeting (i3net) on a Business Assistance Advisory Visits, information regarding other seminars, overview on the National model OHS legislation and Safety Solutions Rebate Fact Sheet.
For further details including on The Safety Solutions Rebate which provides companies with a $500 rebate phone 131050 or download the Safety Solutions Activities Guide from www.workcover.nsw.gov.au
Business MasterClass Program 2010
The NSW Government’s 2010 Business MasterClass Program offers a structured program of 10 events, including seminars, workshops and site visits for businesses keen to expand, diversify or develop export capacity.
The 2010 Business MasterClass Program, from March to December 2010, also offers some fantastic networking opportunities to help NSW business owners and managers build their expertise and capabilities.
Go to: http://www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/initiatives/Documents/Website%20Summary%20-%20Business%20Masterclass%20Program%202010.pdf for more information on the program.
Program opportunities
• High-quality business speakers
• Hands on business interaction and application of real-life business scenarios
• One-on-one consultations with Business Development Managers
• Better access to Federal and State Government business programs
• Valuable networking opportunities with compatible businesses
Key business drivers covered in the Program
• Innovation
• Future trends
• Sales and marketing
• Sustainability
• Export development
• Lean office management
• Staff empowerment
• Leadership and people management
The inaugural event will be held in North Parramatta on 18 March 2010 with guest speaker Craig Rispin of The Future Trends Group and an update on key Government business assistance. Watch this space for more details.
Enrolment in the 2010 Business MasterClass Progam is strictly limited to 250 people.
Price: $275 inclusive of GST for 10 events; or $33 each inclusive of GST for individual events.
More information from: Mangala Srinivasan: mangala.srinivasan@business.nsw.gov.au
02 8843 1116; 02 8843 1116. For details and booking go to: http://www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/initiatives/pages/businessmasterclass.aspx
Tendering for defence and government contracts by SMEs
The Australian Business Defence Industry Unit (ABDIU) is pleased to present a Tendering for Defence and Government Contracts Workshop in Canberra on Friday 19 March 2010. Since 2006 this workshop has been conducted several times per year to the benefit of our defence industry members and non-members including a special series of workshops for the NSW State Government in 2009.
The workshop is not only applicable to Defence contracts but all Government Departments (Federal, State and local) and those companies who tender to Prime Contractors. The workshop is of particular value to SMEs in winning contracts with Defence. The workshop covers:
• Bid Strategy
• Scene Setting
• Writing
• Financials
• Commercial Strategy
• Bid Management
• Solution Design
• Reviews and Publishing
The workshop will be presented by Mr Anthony Rowley, ECKnowledge Managing Consultant. ECKnowledge is an experienced, independent, and private consulting company providing specialised evaluation tools and intellectual property. Their products and services are used extensively by Australian government agencies in procurement and grant management processes. ECKnowledge has been conducting providing Tender Training Workshops for the ABDIU since 2006.
The cost of this one day workshop is $660 inc GST. For more information or a registration form please contact Ben White, Manager (ABDIU at ben.white@australianbusiness.com.au)
More details on: www.dplusi.defence.gov.au:80/ContentForms/NewsItemView.aspx?mOshL/pdPIgBhqCxKVcb6w==
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