The Glen Innes Highlands Business and Community Hub offers economic potential for the future with Glen Innes Severn Council General Manager Craig Bennet, left, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Mayor Carol Sparks, Manager Economic Development Margot Davis and Director of Development, Planning and Regulatory Services Graham Price inspecting plans for the building’s fit out.
Tuesday, 14 September 2021
GLEN Innes Severn Council has hit the accelerator on an innovative new project to drive the local economy into a new period of prosperity, utilising a $616,861 bushfire recovery grant to transform a disused car retail premises into the Highlands Business and Community Hub.
The funding has been delivered through Stage Two of the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, co-funded by the NSW and Australian Governments.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said once operational, the Hub would deliver a co-working space where businesses could develop ideas and conduct training, workshops and conferences.
“With its proximity to Queensland and location at the intersection of the New England and Gwydir Highways, Glen Innes is brimming with economic and tourism potential,” Mr Marshall said.
“Since the devastating Black Summer bushfires council has taken it upon itself to establish infrastructure which creates new business opportunities and encourages innovation.
“This funding will cover the cost of fitting out the Highlands Hub. This will include setting up 10 new office spaces and an inspiring training facility to run workshops and programs,
“The building will also be the home of the Grow Glen Innes Think Tank (GGITT). This community base body is being established to provide local feedback, experience and ideas on council’s economic development policies.
“Conveniently located, I commend council for utilising what was a large vacant space on the main street.
“The Highland Hub is community collaboration at its best and I look forward to seeing the exciting initiatives and programs which are developed within its walls in the years to come.”
Glen Innes Severn Council Manager Economic Development Margot Davis said the project was central to the town’s future economic development.
“Our community identified the need for a co-working space as part of the consultation for the new Economic Development Strategy,” Ms Davis said.
“Through the Highlands Hub the community will be provided with a place to be inspired, connected, supported, and open opportunities for business based education initiatives.
“It will also provide an opportunity for Glen Innes to tap into the business events market.
“With the fit out to start hopefully by October, this is a very exciting time for the town and I’m looking forward to having the project delivered by May 2022.”