With the election being called for May 21st, the Federal government and its subsidiary bodies are now in caretaker mode. For RDASI it’s business as usual, however we just don’t have the same level of engagement from some of our closest stakeholders. With funding promised for RDA’s until 2025, we will look forward to working with the next government, whoever they may be.

Small Business Month kicked off in March and with it our grants guru, Phil Gibson is hosting a number of targeted grant writing workshops throughout the month. RDASI can assist businesses and community organisations with their project development and grant writing, so please contact Phil at grants@rdasi.org.au for any grant assistance that you may need.

The hospitality and tourism sectors seem to have moved into recovery mode with domestic visitation in NSW increasing each week. It's been great to see the streets of our towns and villages alive and bustling again. With school holidays starting next week, we’re certain the pick-up will continue right through the summer months.

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.

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

There are promising signs for retailers as Christmas approaches, with Australians seemingly shaking off the shackles of a torrid year.

Businesses also appear to be finishing 2020 in a more buoyant mood with confidence rising to its highest level since mid-2019.

Take a drive through any number of NSW South Coast towns impacted by last summer’s bushfires, and you’ll see communities busily getting on with the business of recovery. There’s a palpable sense of gratitude when you stop for a coffee, a browse in store, or check-in to spend a night