Nambour businesses facing disruption from upcoming CBD streetscape works could benefit from free mentoring and specialist support offered through the Queensland Government.
Joe Proctor, from the Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business, told the November 4 Nambour Chamber of Commerce Coffee Catchup that his department could help local operators prepare for the construction period.
He said similar support initiatives had accompanied streetscape projects in Mooloolaba, Moffat Beach and Eumundi.
“We've got about 400 volunteer mentors that provide support to other businesses and we can book you in,” he said.
“We can potentially look at some face-to-face sessions here in Nambour leading up to or during that project if it's something that's of interest.”
Mr Proctor also encouraged businesses experiencing financial pressure or stress to seek assistance through the government's small business financial counselling and wellness service.
Free short courses developed in partnership with UniSC cover business planning, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and government procurement.
He said local businesses should also consider opportunities to supply goods and services to the Queensland Government, which spends about $35 billion annually on procurement.
The government's aspirational target is to increase the proportion going to small and family businesses to about 30 percent.
“But we can only do that if we know who you are,” Mr Proctor said.
He encouraged Nambour operators, from caterers and printers to infrastructure suppliers, to make contact and explore the opportunities available.
• Joe Proctor is the Small Business Assistance Officer for the North Coast of Queensland. Phone: 0448 753 807 Email: NCbusiness@desbt.qld.gov.au.
Joe Proctor from the department of customer service services, open data and small and family business.