The Penrith Business Advisory Centre gave advice to about 1,000 individuals last year, but with additional funds that is set to increase, according to Executive Officer, John Todd.
The local advisory service will be submitting a tender application to the State Government in the next four weeks to receive part of a $5 million funding program, Small Biz Connect.
Under the program, the government will expand small business support services through the redevelopment of the existing Business Advisory Service, which expires on June 30.
Penrith MP Stuart Ayres met with Mr Todd on Tuesday to discuss the changes and encourage him to seek funding under the new program.
“John Todd has made an amazing contribution to small businesses in Penrith. The advice provided by his organisation has given small and start-up businesses the confidence they need to expand and create more jobs,” Mr Ayres said.
Mr Ayres said the new program came as a result of findings from the Small Business Commissioner’s listening tour where businesses said they were seeking a boost in support services, similar to those provided by Mr Todd’s organisation.
The Penrith advisory service has not only been providing face-to-face business advice, but also making the shift to web-based training, too.
“It’s almost applicable to say the government program is almost catching up with what the Business Advisory Centre has already been doing,” Mr Ayres said.
Mr Todd said the local service had provided business advice to approximately 20,000 small businesses over the past 20-odd years.
