Kimberley forums a hit with local businesses

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New grant funding round launched at regional forum in the Kimberley
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MC Sharni Foulkes welcomes attendees to the Broome Regional Forum

JTSI successfully held two Regional Business Engagement Forums in the Kimberley recently, starting with Broome on 18 October, with another forum in Kununurra following two days later on 20 October.

Both forums were well-attended by both local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and Government agencies, with approximately 100 attendees across the two events. The events were well supported by the local Chambers of Commerce and Industry, with Sharni Foulkes (CEO of the Broome Chamber) and Clare Smith (CEO of the East Kimberley Chamber) performing the MC duties at the respective forums. The Kununurra event also saw Chuck Berger, CEO of the Kimberley Development Commission, open the forum. 

Both forums were designed to give attendees the opportunity to learn about policies and funding to support local businesses, including the launch of a new $100,000 Local Capability Fund (LCF) grant round for SMEs in the Kimberley. More information on the Kimberley Regional Round and how to apply is available here on the Local Capability Fund page. 

It was also an opportunity for SMEs to hear from state government agencies about upcoming projects and contract opportunities in the Kimberley, as well as providing a setting to speak to agency representatives first hand. 

Topics discussed included:   

  • The launch of the Kimberley regional round of the LCF - a new funding round directly targeted at improving the capability of SMEs in the Kimberley

  •  Financial incentives for businesses looking to employ apprentices and trainees.

  • An overview of Government contract opportunities and work packages expected in the Kimberley over the next 12-24 months

The presentation is available online for those who were unable to attend. More regional events are coming, and details can be found on the Regional Business Engagement Forum page.