RDASI Newsletter - October 2000
A message from the CEO
With October ending, another month has quickly flown by. It’s hard to believe we only have two months left of 2020. A year that has been incredibly challenging and unpredictable.
Last week I had the pleasure of presenting on behalf of RDASI at the annual Growers and Producers Long Lunch held at The Loch in Berrima. RDASI was the proud major sponsor for the event for the third year running. Encouraging and inspiring ideas were shared among a sold-out venue, that provided guests with a transformational attitude towards a future full of hope and opportunity. It is exciting to bring a sense of normality we have been waiting for, by attending and hosting face-to-face (covid-19 safe) events again.
The inaugural Highlands Connect event is coming to the Southern Highlands this month, at Mittagong RSL on the 12th of November. RDA Southern Inland and the Southern Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Industry is partnering to host this event which is all about businesses in the Southern Highlands Connecting with each other. The evening will be filled with business pitches and networking, with a big thanks to our opening speaker Peter Strong, CEO of Small Business Organisations Australia. The informal presentations are designed to share opportunities and challenges, a need for collaboration or advice.
We especially love the Go Local First campaign Peter is promoting, and we encourage you to make your spending matter by choosing local growers, producers and retailers. Local businesses are so important to our economic and social fabric. They support your community events and sporting clubs and without them we would lose our largest employers.
Recovery in our regions is going to take some time and we know there are still many people doing it tough. The Australian Government has shown its commitment to Regional Development by funding the RDA national network for an additional 4.5 years. The Department has handed down a new streamlined, more concise charter, which has been positively welcomed by our committee. Please see the new charter HERE.
RDASI is here to help wherever we can, so please get in contact if you need our support.
On Tuesday the 27th of October our CEO Carisa Wells attended and presented at the annual Growers and Producers Long Lunch in Berrima. This event showcases and celebrates local and regional produce, food & wine and agritourism experiences in the Southern Highlands. A special thanks goes to the Southern Highlands Key Stakeholders Group and Moss Vale & Rural Chamber of Commerce for organising this wonderful event.
Regional Job Creation fund
The Regional Job Creation Fund supports existing regional businesses to grow and encourages interstate and international businesses to invest in our regions.
Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund
The NSW Government’s $250 million Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund is now open for applications. The Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund aims to support local communities and industries recover and rebuild by funding projects that retain and create new jobs, build resilience and increase preparedness for future bushfire seasons.
Grants between $200,000 and $20 million were available to fund projects across 47 NSW Local Government Areas affected by the 2019-2020 bushfires. The list of eligible councils can be found at nsw.gov.au/blerfund, along with information about eligibility, the assessment process and the program guidelines. If you have questions please contact the Deptartment of Regional NSW on 1300 679 673 or email regionalnsw.business@dpc.nsw.gov.au.
Food in the Capital
Food in the Capital is the first of its kind sustainable food event for Canberra and the surrounding region. This three day program running over 12 months featured over 95 speakers from around the globe, discussing the latest innovations in rural and urban farming, together with practical solutions to food production, transport and sales. The event initiated the building of a unique city region agrifood initiative.
Read The Riot ACT article here.
Highlands Connect
Highlands Connect is an initiative run by business for business. The informal catch-ups allow businesses to engage with each other, discuss potential collaborations, speak to their local council or state and federal government representatives, or simply ask questions or share innovative ideas.
