Limestone Coast Small Business Support

Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast (RDALC) has been funded by the Office for Small and Family Business as part of the Small Business Fundamentals Program. The program is part of the Government’s Small Business Strategy and is being delivered by 11 partner organisations across the State. RDALC will deliver the project, Limestone Coast Small Business Support over the next two years (2023-2025).

“During our engagement process last year, the small business community told us their biggest challenges are a lack of time and resources to focus on strategy or growth as well as cashflow and lack of access to capital, attracting and retaining staff, digital literacy, and other foundational skills,” said Minister for Small and Family Business Andrea Michaels. “The Small Business Fundamentals Program responds directly to these challenges, providing the tools and tailored support for small and family businesses to build their business know-how and capability in areas critical to long-term sustainability and growth.”

“Living in rural, regional, and remote communities can be tough, and running a business can be even tougher,” said Evan Flint, RDALC Chair. “The tyranny of distance means that our small and family business owners and operators can’t easily get to the city to take advantage of the many programs and supports that are available there.”

Limestone Coast Small Business Support will assist the region’s small and family businesses by increasing their skills, capability, and capacity through targeted one-on-one support, small group workshops, and seminars. Through the program RDALC will also provide business owners and operators with a broader network of support and expertise, connecting them to other programs and Government support.

The workshops and seminars will be directed at small and family businesses to build fundamental knowledge and capability in areas critical to long-term business sustainability and growth. The project will be guided by an Advisory Group comprised of business and tourism associations located in the Limestone Coast.

“Our new program will build on our existing small business support service and this grant will mean we can have more of our team out on the road meeting with businesses one-on-one,” said David Wheaton, RDALC CEO. “Small and family businesses in the Limestone Coast can contact us to talk about how we can support them to see their businesses grow.”

RDALC will highlight lived experience and ‘success stories’ from across the region as part of the program. Businesses are encouraged to follow RDALC on Facebook, LinkedIn, and subscribe to their e-newsletter The Weekly to stay up to date with the program.