General News
28 April, 2021
Innovative role looks for financial boost
COBDEN Business Network’s campaign to employ a business and economic development consultant (BEDC) has taken a major step forward with the recommended applicant being accepted at a recent Cobden Business Network (CBN) meeting.
COBDEN Business Network’s campaign to employ a business and economic development consultant (BEDC) has taken a major step forward with the recommended applicant being accepted at a recent Cobden Business Network (CBN) meeting.
After extensive advertising assisted by WestVic Staffing Solutions, the BEDC steering committee interviewed candidates last week and offered the position to the preferred applicant on Saturday.
CBN chair Mark Roberts and steering committee member Andrew Chivell said they were excited by the process and the opportunities presented by the appointment.
“We were looking for a person who can work with all sectors of the Cobden community to improve the level of economic activity across the district,” Mr Chivell said.
“While our businesses are a focus, we all need to pitch together as a community– our farmers, our town residents, our schools and health facilities, our services, our sporting clubs and other organisations – to ensure Cobden is up and about in future years.”
Mr Roberts agreed the district would not “thrive to its maximum” unless everyone involved contributed in some positive way.
“To that end, in the first instance, we would really appreciate additional financial help from the agricultural and trade industries and district residents to build our funding pool to ensure we can sustain our business and economic development consultant position for a full 12 months,” he said.
“Stage 1 of the BEDC program is assured, thanks to the support of the Cobden Community Bank and 24 other businesses, but the stage 2 implementation component still lacks a degree of certainty.”
Mr Chivell said the committee believed it had recommended a “very capable person to give impetus to the aims of the CBN’s project – to improve the local economy by increasing patronage and by developing the capabilities of businesses, both individually and collectively”.
“We want to give our consultant every chance of success because it would mean our district’s economy will have more chance of being stronger and more sustainable,” he said.
“If any other business, local resident, local organisation or district farmer is in a position to add to our funding pool, it would be greatly appreciated. This is too good a chance to miss.
“Several community people have been happy to invest in the program so we would like others, including our farmers, to consider following suit.”
To discuss providing any amount or type of financial assistance to the initiative contact Andrew Chivell on 0409 848 119, Mark Roberts on 0427 314 449 or Kelvin White on 0429 921 876.
Based in a Curdie Street office, the appointed consultant is set to begin the part-time position in late May.