At the ordinary April Council meeting, Ballarat Council approved a three year funding and service agreement with Commerce Ballarat to the total of $415,725 to help support the not-for-profit organisation.
Commerce Ballarat provides advocacy for the local business community, as well as a broad range of support services to more than 650 member organisations from across Ballarat. Many programs are also available to non-member businesses.
The extension of the agreement adds three more years to the 20 year collaboration.
The funding helps Commerce Ballarat deliver a range of programs and events including networking events, conferences, industry forums, skill development works, promotions, and the annual Business Awards.
Commerce Ballarat's purpose is to better business in Ballarat by:
- Creating and driving business activity;
- Providing leadership and advocacy;
- Collaborating with key stakeholders to advance business; and
- Facilitating knowledge and skills development for business.
The agreement also helps Commerce Ballarat hold events by providing a facility in kind to be used for the annual Business Awards launch.
The funding has increased from $113,575 per annum to $138,575 per annum and this helps Commerce Ballarat deliver new events responding to emerging business needs, such as:
- Forage and Feast program to support the local producers and hospitality sector.
- Mental health support programs
- Themed industry specific chats, such as trade breakfasts and hospitality discussions.
- Ballarat Business month, held in August.
As well as supporting Commerce Ballarat via this agreement, the City of Ballarat is also helping to fund and promote the Commerce Ballarat Business Assistance Program, to which City of Ballarat has allocated $20,000. This connects local businesses to local support and advice on a broad range of business areas, such as business planning, finance and marketing.
