Opening of Business Enterprise Centre at Jerramungup

14/4/99
The Shire of Jerramungup, 480km south-east of Perth, is the latest country region to join Western Australia's Business Enterprise Centre (BEC) Network.

Opening the State's 37th Business Enterprise Centre today, Minister for Small Business Hendy Cowan said the BECs were an integral part of the State Government's commitment to the development of small business in WA.
Mr Cowan said the Jerramungup region offered many opportunities for further developing existing industries, such as fishing, agriculture, aquaculture, and to a lesser extent, viticulture.
"Jerramungup BEC will also be instrumental in attracting new industries and businesses that are needed in the district," he said.
The BEC program is a network of 27 regional and 10 metropolitan centres across WA. They are supported by the Small Business Development Corporation and provide information and advice on establishing a new business or expanding an existing venture.
The BEC's assist clients through access to specialist advisory services, business information and licences and taxation information.
"They also provide a gateway to Government assistance programs for business planning, assistance with access to small business finance, marketing and export ventures," Mr Cowan said.
"In the 12 years since they were established, the BECs achieved their highest level of success during 1997-98 in the start-up of 1,580 new businesses.
"This resulted in the creation of an estimated 2,147 full-time and 909 part-time jobs.
"This clearly demonstrates the merit of continuing to support the growth of small business in this way.
"A key to the BEC success is that each is supported by a local community.
"A voluntary group of local business people, Chambers of Commerce, local government and local sponsors all play a part in the effectiveness of the program."
The Shire of Jerramungup will provide support to fund the new centre for an initial two-year period.
Mr Ben Olsen has been appointed manager of the Jerramungup BEC. Mr Olsen comes to the position with significant small business experience having been self employed for many years in business management, marketing and sales. He also has an affinity for regional WA, having lived and worked in Corrigin for 32 years.
Media contact: Peter Jackson (Minister's office) (08) 9222 9595 or
Michelle Beaven (SBDC) (08) 9220 0218.