The Hills Shire Council hosts a quarterly Welcome Event which provides information about active local networking groups and support opportunities available to new businesses in the area. The initiative is not only designed to help those who have recently started a new local business, but those who have moved their business to The Hills district or those with an existing business who are looking to connect with The Hills business community.
Background
The Hills is home to more than 20,000 businesses that employ more than 80,000 people. A significant 49 per cent of those businesses were established in the past three years.
The Hills commercial and industrial centres are growing rapidly, assisted by greater connectivity due to the Sydney Metro Northwest. Council is committed to working with businesses to help prepare them for growth and change expected in the region in the coming years.
The Hills Shire Council conducted several business-related surveys and events to understand business needs. The Welcome Events responded to feedback from business and aligns with the community’s vision outlined in the Community Strategic Plan 2017 – 2021.
Implementation
The Welcome Events were an initiative developed and curated by Council’s Economic Development Team. They are designed to provide entrepreneurs, start-ups and small business owners the opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals and be introduced to Council's Economic Development Team, who could provide business support, direction and vital connections with government departments and key stakeholders.
The events are also supported by elected officials. At the end of an event each attending business is given a certificate recognising them as being a local Hills District Business.
Outputs
The Welcome Events were introduced over 2 years ago and have to date provided over 500 businesses with introductions to key local business and government contacts, including local, state and federal government agencies who can provide business support.
Outcomes and results
The new businesses feel supported and connected locally, providing them with a sense of security that may have taken many years to establish independently. Benefits identified by businesses attending the events are:
- Direct engagement with council
- Networking and connecting with other businesses
- Feeling a valued part of the local business community
- Access to the Mayor and elected members
The events provide council with the opportunity to develop positive relationships with business and offer advice and resources supporting business at the beginning of their lifecycle. A time identified by participants as having the maximum value for business success.
Costs and funding
The major cost in hosting the events is investment by the Economic Development Team in identifying new businesses through a manual search of Australian Business Register ‘ABR’ data, and then inviting the businesses to the events. The events are funded through the operational budget.
Key learnings
The Economic Development Team attributes the success of the initiative to the ability to connect business to local networks, providing access to critical business contacts and knowledge in the local area.
Council Details
Population size: 157,243
LGA size: 401 km2
State Electorate: Baulkham Hills
Federal Electorate: Mitchell