Regional Development Northern Inland Director Nathan Axelsson, left, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall prepare to promote the success of resilient local businesses by creating a digital ‘Survivors Guide’ to celebrate innovation and resilience.
Tuesday, 11 May 2021.
THE success of local businesses in withstanding the tough economic climate caused by drought, bushfires and COVID-19 will be showcased in new materials being created by Regional Development Northern Inland (RDANI), with the organisation utilising a $69,150 State Government grant to celebrate and promote innovation and resilience.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced the financial support today and said beneath the dust and ash of the past five years local manufacturers, hospitality and retail operators have had to think outside the box in order to find gold.
“It’s important, as we continue on this path to economic recovery, that we focus on the positives and learn from those inspirational operators who have kept trading through the challenging times,” Mr Marshall said.
“As part of its work with businesses throughout northern NSW, RDANI identified a need to promote positive local stories in order to foster hope and encourage small business owners to keep up their good work.
“Over the next six months RDANI will compile a digital ‘Survivors Guide’, based on local case studies, that will inspire and educate regional employers about innovative and resourceful approaches to survive and thrive in tough times.
“The series of short videos is fittingly called Regional Businesses Shine through Dark Times and will culminate in a hardcopy publication.
“This in itself is an innovative approach, which I think will play an important role in encouraging businesses to be brave, step outside their comfort zones and do something different that will sets them out from the crowd.”
RDANI Executive Director Nathan Axelsson said the stories of resilience and success should be shared and celebrated.
“It’s not all doom and gloom. Our region’s business sector has some great resilience stories which deserve to be professionally produced and promoted in the wider community,” Mr Axelsson said.
“RDANI has previously produced a range of case studies showcasing the importance of our skilled migration programs for the region’s employers. The effectiveness of these made us confident that local business resilience stories will make a difference.
“The first case study in the project is The Welders Dog and their Bunker Box innovation, which involved the home delivery of local produce. This enabled the business to retain all staff during the COVID-19 lockdown, while supporting the region’s producers.
“The survival and renewal of local businesses is crucial to the recovery of bush communities and we have to do what we can to promote how regional businesses shine through dark times.
“RDANI is grateful to the NSW Government for funding this initiative.”