General Business Development     - Regional Solutions Program - Townlife Development Program (NSW) - Main Street/Small Towns Program (NSW) - Business Retention and Expansion Program - Regional Assistance Program (RAP) - Local Government Incentives Program - Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal       Regional Solutions Program   A Federal Government initiative designed to assist regional and rural communities build their capacity to identify and implement development opportunities. The program seeks to help communities move beyond the planning stage by providing assistance to implement community initiatives, including funding for community infrastructure. The types of projects which may be eligible for funding include:     community planning and objective setting implementation of local projects regionally based local community enterprise/infrastructure projects contributions towards the employment of community based officers to develop resources and partnerships with other sectors identifying and assisting community adjustment initiatives Communities will be encouraged to undertake preliminary planning that reflects how their proposal for funding is part of an overall strategy for sustained community development.   Contact Details for Regional Solutions Program Programme Manager Regional Solutions Department of Transport and Regional Services GPO Box 954 CANBERRA, ACT, 2601 Ph: 1800 026 222 Fax: (02) 9338 6726 Web: http://www.regionalsolutions.gov.au/ Email: regional.solutions@dotrs.gov.au     Back to top     Townlife Development Program (NSW)   This initiative aims to foster economic growth and job creation in regional towns. It helps communities to take a strategic and proactive approach to their economic development and offers the opportunity to under take planning and/or implementation of community supported projects.   To assist eligible communities to implement projects, 75% of the total project costs up to $15000, which ever is the lesser, is available for projects which relate to:     business development marketing events and tourism information technology youth, indigenous and non English speaking background and sustainability Contact details for Townlife Development Program Regional Development Unit, Regional Development Division Level 44 Grosvenor Place, 255 George St Sydney NSW 2000 Ph: (02) 9338 6719 Fax: (02) 9338 6726 Web: http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/regional/regional_assistance.asp     Back to top     Main Street/Small Towns Program (NSW)   A NSW government initiative designed to help communities take a strategic approach to their economic development. To assist communities to implement strategic plans assistance is available on a matching contribution basis up to $25000 per project which could include:     employment of a co-ordinator business development marketing information technology sustainability issues Technical advise is also available in the form of training, resource materials, case studies showing successful projects, conferences and forums.   Contact details for Main Street/Small Towns Program (NSW) NSW Regional Development Division PO Box N8818 Grosvenor Place Sydney NSW 1220 Ph: (02) 9338 6716 Fax: (02) 9228 6726 Web: http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/regional/regional_assistance.asp     Back to top     Business Retention and Expansion Program   A NSW government initiative for communities with populations between 1,500 and 15,000. The main focus of the program is on existing businesses helping them to explore their development potential. Small amounts of funds are available towards project management.   Contact Details for Business Retention and Expansion Program Department of State and Regional Development Regional Development Division Level 35 Governor Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place Sydney NSW 1220 Ph: (02) 9338 6716 Fax: (02) 9228 6726 Web: http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/regional/regional_assistance.asp     Back to top     Regional Assistance Program (RAP)   This program aims to facilitate achievement of national employment goals in regional Australia by encouraging business and communities to take action in partnership with government. Projects must address the issues of:     job generation improving skill bases in a region tackling disadvantage and encouraging growth in a region supporting infrastructure Contact details for Regional Assistance Program Dept of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business Ph: (02) 6121 6000 Web: http://www.dewrsb.gov.au/employment/programmesAndServices/rap/default.asp     Back to top     Local Government Incentives Program   This program aims to support local governments in working together in their natural regions. Local governments are encourage to apply jointly for funds to support projects which tackle:     adoption of best practice and sharing of technical expertise across councils the promotion of an enhanced role for local government in leading their communities increasing the capacity of local government to contribute to regional development Contact details for Local Government Incentives Program Dept. of Transport and Regional Services Ph: 1800 065 113 Web: http://www.nolg.gov.au/lgip/index.htm     Back to top     Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal   This is a new funding initiative which aims to improve the social, cultural environmental and economic well being of rural Australia by supporting regional, rural and remote communities to develop and diversify their activities through:     capacity building programs information and training programs provision of grants for rural development projects Contact details for the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal Ph: (08) 8398 4906 Web: http://www.frrr.netconnect.com.au/     Back to top

[ Back to Community Financing page ]

[ Overview ] [ Home-based Business ] [ Small Business Hot Spots ]

[ Springboard Business Development Program ] [ Running a Successful Home-based business ]

[ Community Resources ] [ Realise Your Potential ] [ Strategic Economic Solutions ]

Text and Graphics ©2000 Strategic Economic Solutions All Rights Reserved