ETC wins contract to help Mid North Coast businesses

ETC is thrilled to have secured funding under the Federal Government’s Australian Small Business Advisory Service (ASBAS) Programme to help small businesses on the Mid North Coast.

ETC’s Executive Manager Business & Strategy Jackie Parkinson said the funding would enable ETC to add two additional Business Advisors to its team of 7 experienced Advisors on the Mid North Coast, resulting in more support available for small businesses located between Coffs Harbour and Taree.

“There is enormous unmet demand for business support on the Mid North Coast and we are very excited to be able to expand our reach to help more start-up and existing small businesses,” Ms Parkinson said.

“There are more than 19,000 businesses operating on the Mid North Coast and over the past 2 years we have only been able to engage with 7.5% of them due to limited resources.

Ms Parkinson said there were several factors impacting on business success in the region.

“Impacts of highway bypasses on retail/tourism businesses and the need to sustain the agribusiness sector are two of the issues that have heightened the need for additional business support in our region,” she said.

Ms Parkinson said the new programme would complement and bolster existing business advisory services available on the Mid North Coast.

“ETC is the main provider of subsidised business support in the region as the Mid North Coast Business Enterprise Centre and the sole provider in the area of the NSW Small Biz Connect Programme,” she said.

“We’re looking forward to being able to support more businesses through the delivery of face-to-face business advisory consultations, industry specific workshops and business skills training.

“Many business people are unaware of how to go about growing their business so we will work with them to identify and address any gaps in their management skills and support them to set goals and action plans.”

For further information about starting or growing your business contact ETC on 1800 007 400 or visit www.etcltd.com.au.