The Business Partner Program is a key element in the economic development and rebuilding strategies of Gunnedah Shire Council. The program's key focus is to attract new business opportunities, and assist in the expansion of existing businesses in the Gunnedah Shire by providing an assistance package as an incentive.

The Business Partner Program provides a wide array of services and information designed to identify the strengths of the Gunnedah business sector. The program presents opportunities for the development of tailor made packages to assist in business development costs, and addressing statutory charges or infrastructure placement costs. The program co-ordinates potential assistance from Council, utility providers, transport and freight providers, port authority, State and Federal government departments.

This complementary and confidential assistance includes:

• Identifying site options for business relocation or expansion in the Gunnedah Shire
• Serving as a liaison with the planning and development processes of State and Local Government
• Providing current market information about Gunnedah
• Assisting new business partners in securing attractive relocation and new business venture allowances and incentives
• Assistance in negotiating with Utility Providers
• Providing new orientation information for employees relocating to Gunnedah or assisting in local recruitment programs

The program allows the development of combination packages of incentives and benefits tailored to suit the individual business and their specific needs. It has a wide scope for eligibility and all business developers and proponents are encouraged to consider applying. Further details on this program are available by contacting the Manager of Tourism and Economic Development on (02) 6740 2147 or email chrisfrend@infogunnedah.com.au

The development of a local self reliant and empowered community, with a focus on the development of community well being and maximising the use of existing human and physical resources. The cultivation of productive, professional, market oriented and internationally competitive rural industries with the capacity to embrace economic, social and environmental change whist building on the existing strengths of the region. This regional focus leads to sustainable natural resources management.

The overall goal of the Gunnedah Shire and Liverpool Plains Rural Plan is:

"To increase the economic, social and environmental capacity of the Liverpool Plains and the regional economy through creation of a strategic path to sustainable development, employment generation and the establishment of internationally competitive industries and businesses."

Click on the following link to find out more about the Rural Plan.

Business Networking Facilitators where trained during the project development. Further information on the project may be obtained by contacting:

• Chris Frend on (02) 67402 147

The Business Networking Committee is a broadly based and business orientated group whose role and function it is to highlight the advantages and increase the usage of business networks or alliances to enlarge the economic capacity of the existing businesses in the region. The group operates through Gunnedah District Development Board in consultation with Gunnedah Shire Council.

As one of its early projects the committee compiled a business and service directory for the Gunnedah Shire Area. This directory is a comprehensive list of the available services and the businesses that provide them in Gunnedah and its surrounding area.

The directory is available on this site by following the prompts. It is also possible to amend the register by interaction on this site by following the prompts or by contacting the Gunnedah District Development Board office at gddb@gunnedah.org.au or by phoning 67423600.