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The Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC’s) small business services to regional WA have been relaunched as SBDC Regional, giving small businesses across Western Australia access to free, high quality business advice from experienced advisers that the Small Business Development Corporation has offered for 40 years.
SBDC Regional will offer free, confidential advisory services to businesses in the East and West Kimberley, Pilbara, Mid West/Gascoyne, Wheatbelt, Goldfields, Esperance, Great Southern, South West and Peel regions.
Small Business Commissioner, David Eaton PSM, explained that the SBDC Regional service would replace the Business Local model which has provided small business services and advice across WA’s regions since 2015.
Businesses accessing SBDC Regional service will be able to obtain high quality general business advice in their own regions, provided by locally based advisers and will have greater access to specialised advice and support through the SBDC’s central office.
“The launch of the SBDC Regional brand signifies our ongoing commitment to investing in small businesses in regional WA.”
“These small businesses create jobs, provide essential services, and form an integral part of the towns and regions in which they operate. They really are at the heart of their communities.”
“That’s why the SBDC, on behalf of the WA Government, is working hard to ensure they have access to the same high quality business guidance as metro-based businesses.”
Under the new model, social enterprises and commercial not-for-profit entities, as well as small businesses, will be able to access free general business advice in their local region, under the trusted Small Business Development Corporation brand.
Regionally located business advisers will offer guidance in areas including business management and administration, sales and marketing, business planning and feasibility assessments, and financial and risk management.
Businesses seeking specialised advice on matters such as commercial leasing, dispute resolution, business strategy, cyber security, digital marketing and human resource management will be referred to subject area experts within the SBDC’s central office.
SBDC Regional providers will also deliver skills development workshops on topics of identified need, tailored to their region, while regional business owners can access a wide range of low cost workshops online from the SBDC.
The new SBDC Regional model commences on 1 July 2024. See smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/regional for more information.
