With the expected upsurge in regional travel from this weekend, we know we’ll be hearing from many of our small business owners about the issues of finding staff. Workforce development is a key strategic pillar for RDASI and we’re pleased to be working closely with the Local Jobs Facilitators in the Illawarra South Coast and Canberra regions as part of the Local Jobs Program funded by the Federal Government.

I wish to acknowledge the work of Gladys Berejiklian as our Premier over almost five years. I’d also like to congratulate Dominic Perrotet MP coming into the role as the youngest Premier ever, and Paul Toole MP the new leader of the Nationals and now Deputy Premier.

As a former small business owner, I know all too well the responsibility you feel to your team members, your landlord and your suppliers. RDASI is here to help and support you. With direct communication to the Federal Government, we can share your concerns and issues straight to our Minister.

Recently, our new Board met for a strategy development day to look towards the future direction for RDA – Southern Inland. The day was productive, collaborative, and full of great ideas. With Commonwealth funding secured until June 2025 RDASI has the security to take a longer-term view of economic development in the region.

On June 21st, we held our first Board meeting with our new members. We have a completely refreshed Board who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to RDA-Southern Inland. If you'd like to read more about who they are and what expertise they bring. We would like to thank the outgoing Board members, Sue Whelan OAM, John Bell, Jenny Calkin and Mark Bradbury for their passion, time and dedication to RDASI.

A Budget for business led economic recovery: The Federal Treasurer has charted a fresh fiscal course, with an improved economic outlook, a relentless focus on jobs and clear support for business and sectors doing it tough. This year’s deficit will reach $161 billion – $52.7 lower than was predicted just 6 months ago.

We know this year continues to be challenging for many regional businesses and communities and we’d like to support you in any way that we can. Please reach out if you need assistance, especially with visa’s, grants or advocacy.

Last month RDA Southern Inland had the pleasure of meeting new and previous attendees at our Connect events in the Southern Highlands, Goulburn and Yass Valley. We heard from up and coming and inspiring businesses, pitching their ideas and business concepts. These events have been created by the business community for business and we continue to hold these Regional Connect events to boost local B2B networking while providing information and support to help SME’s thrive.

Welcome Phil Gibson to the RDA Southern Inland team. Phil started with us as our Grants and Projects Officer. Phil has extensive experience in grant writing and funding acquisition and is available to assist businesses and community groups with the application process on a fee-for-service basis.

The COVID-19 crisis has forced businesses of all shapes and sizes to become more creative about the way they do things. Restaurants have pivoted to takeaway, fitness studios have launched online classes and telehealth technology has taken off. Now is the time to evaluate your pandemic practices and decide whether they should become permanent.

We have collaborated with Goulburn Mulwaree Council and the Goulburn Chamber of Commerce to deliver a new initiative designed to boost the local economy and encourage local shopping via an innovative new Goulburn gift card.

Small businesses in NSW have been using contactless payments for close to 10 years but COVID-19 has accelerated use of the technology and the demise of cash.

Last year, ‘tap and go’ and online payments became the main, and preferred method of payment offered by small business due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A new initiative designed to boost the local economy and encourage local shopping has seen the Goulburn Mulwaree Council, the Goulburn Chamber of Commerce and Regional Development Australia Southern Inland combine their talents to create an innovative new Goulburn gift card.

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

The Resilience Project explores evidence-based approaches to building resilience, in order to develop and sustain positive mental health.

Look around any co-working space and you’ll see motivational graphics blue tacked on walls and the back of toilet doors. They are visually pleasing charts outlining of an entrepreneur’s path to success and it’s generally a roller coaster of frustration and euphoria, wins and set-backs riding high and plummeting low but ultimately the graph line disappears into the top right corner reassuring your path to success.

The Small Business Commissioner spoke to Mark McKenzie, Chair of COSBOA, the peak body for small business organisations, about the outlook for 2021

It is a trend that could reshape regional economies for decades to come. Record numbers of Australians are turning their backs on pandemic-hit big cities, taking advantage of being able to work from home, and relocating to commutable country towns and their lure of open space, fresh air and cheaper housing. This, in turn, is creating new jobs and business opportunities.

So, what attributes do you need to become a successful entrepreneur? Fred Schebesta is the founder of Finder, one of Australia’s largest and best-known comparison sites. He shares his thoughts.

Looking forward, RDASI has an exciting year ahead filled with new opportunities, ideas and a few very big changes. Our most significant change is the appointment of our new chair to our board. RDASI welcomes Yass local, Rowena Abbey to our team. Rowena comes to us with years of economic development experience, being the Yass Valley council Mayor along with extensive business acumen and a dedication to Regional NSW.