LBF NSW - Building Local Capabilities for Growth

Welcome to our latest edition of the Local Buying Foundation (LBF) eNews. I think we can all agree, that the last quarter has been an interesting one for all businesses!

In the last quarter (April - June), the LBF focused on ensuring that Business, Economic and Industry Groups (B.I.G.) and organisations were able to access funding for projects quickly to ensure they were able to continue the much needed services and support to businesses and members. Since inception, the B.I.G. Futures Fund has supported nine projects across NSW and QLD, with a total of $171,635 spent on B.I.G. Futures Fund projects. The LBF understands that whilst restrictions are easing, there are still many challenges ahead for businesses in the post Covid-19 world and we plan on continuing the B.I.G. Futures Fund into the future.

The continued success of the Local Buying Program (LBP), has enabled the LBF to support 131 projects with a total value of $3,410,657 injected back into local business communities in Queensland (since 2012) and 16 projects with a total value of $178,859 injected into local business communities in New South Wales (since 2017).

We are also very excited to announce that the Local Buying Foundation has just launched in Western Australia! The Local Buying Foundation in Western Australia aims to enhance the economic stability in the local government areas of the Town of Port Hedland and the Shire of East Pilbara where BHP WAIO operates.

Please do reach out and contact us on 1800 536 663 or info@localbuyingfoundation.com.au if you would like to discuss our projects or funding available.

The Local Buying Foundation is governed by representatives from across the Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter Local Government shires to ensure that investments made by the Foundation have the greatest possible impact.

The committee is made up of the Local Buying Foundation Chairman, BHP Founding Member, Primary Members representing each of the three councils that the Local Buying Foundation operates across, three industry representatives and three business/economic representatives.

The LBF would like to express our appreciation to outgoing committee member, Linda Keeping for her time on the advisory committee. Linda has been an important part of the LBFAC in New South Wales and we thank her for her time and insight on the committee.

The Local Buying Foundation aims to support Business, Economic and Industry Groups (B.I.G.) facing significant challenges from COVID-19 through the establishment of the B.I.G. Futures Fund.

The B.I.G Futures fund provides financial assistance for business, economic development and industry groups to continue delivering services to their membership/business base during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Congratulations to the Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry on their successful application for the MCCI - Covid19 Business Support Program.

The B.I.G. Futures Fund will continue to be open for applications that align with the focus category of Business and Industry Innovation to enable Business, Economic and Industry Groups to provide response to support members quickly and easily.

Learn more by visiting our website or contacting our Project Officers on 1800 536 663.

The Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) was successful in their application for the LBF's B.I.G. Futures Fund. Funding enabled MCCI to roll out their Covid-19 Business Support Program to both member and non member businesses in the Muswellbrook region. The project focused on two key areas. The Inter Business Support Programs encouraged small groups of businesses from different sectors to connect, learn and share information on the current problems that they are facing and what they have used to overcome this. The other element to this project was the "Locals Supporting Locals" which was to development of marketing and digital engagement assets through social media to promote local businesses and the ways that they have diversified to maintain business

The Covid-19 Business Support Project overall enables businesses to continue to network themselves with other businesses during a time when face to face networking events were not available.

Want to know more? Email: info@muswellbrookchamber.com.au

Message from Darlene Flockhart, Business Development & Administration Officer for Singleton Business Chamber

Whilst Singleton Business Chamber (SBC) have not been able to engage physically with members or the business community due to Covid-19 restrictions, the activities of SBC in the last few months have ramped up in response to the challenges associated with it.

SBC are proactively involved in rolling a Business Support program in collaboration with Singleton Council in response to drought, bushfire and Covid-19 impacts. This is a comprehensive program involving several initiatives including working with the Spend in Singleton program through supporting business to business and a number of community groups. The Business Development and Administration Officer (BDAO) role, funded by the Local Buying Foundation has been a vital resource in the successful delivery of all components of this program including the coordination of developing a dedicated Spend In Singleton website and media photography of all registered Spend in Singleton businesses. This program will effectively benefit all businesses in the Singleton business community.

SBC has also worked with Council in the development and implementation of Business Impact survey with results of this survey being analysed to provide real data relating to the impacts of Covid-19. The survey was then distributed by SBC and collated results will be delivered and action taken as appropriate.

SBC successfully applied to BHP's Vital Resources Fund to develop and implement the Covid-19 Business Support Program which has now commenced and will run for a three-month period. Twenty local businesses are enrolled in the program which involves twice weekly webinars and face to face mentoring for each business. The BDAO funded by LBF was instrumental in contacting Singleton businesses and registering them for the program.

Nominations, entries and judging for the Business Excellence Awards are now complete with the BDAO role again being pivotal in the coordination of this process. A watch and wait approach to lock in a date (possibly November 2020) for the Gala evening once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

SBC has continued to proactively support and promote all Singleton businesses through social media channels resulting a considerable increase in traffic, engagements and followers in the past few months.

The Business Development & Administration Officer role is proudly funded by the Local Buying Foundation and Singleton Business Chamber.

Office 365 training was funded as a Local Buying Foundation initiative, after establishing a need for this training for businesses. Whilst Covid-19 did not allow for the training to be done face to face, in the interim webinars were hosted by training provider Nexacu to provide full day training across two short sessions over two weeks. These webinars were successful with all available spaces being taken up. Whilst the webinars are now complete and restrictions are being lifted, we are working with the Gold Accredited training provider, Nexacu on dates for face to face workshops for the future.

Watch this space for upcoming training dates!

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Our mailing address is:
Local Buying Foundation
PO Box 1721
Mackay QLD 4740

Australia