Small business is often described as the engine room of the Australian economy.
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Nationwide, small businesses contribute hundreds of billions of dollars to the economy each year and employ more than five million people.
Despite its status as a significant economic contributor, support for people trying to run their own business is not always as forthcoming as it should be.
So Wagga’s City Council’s decision to create a Regional Activation Directorate to drive growth is a good one.
The more diverse our business sector is, the healthier our local economy will be.
We need the jobs, we need the services and we need the other benefits that a thriving business community brings to a regional centre.
But recognising the value of small business is only one side of the equation. The other is part demonstrating what a great place Wagga is for running your own business. The advantage of being able to do business online is well known. The internet means someone can set up an office - or a business - almost anywhere.
But it’s Wagga’s other advantages that need to be promoted: Cheaper land and housing, central location and, of course, the huge changes that will come with the development of the Riverina Intermodal Freight Hub.
This massive project will be a game-changer not only for Wagga, but the whole southern part of the state.
There are also, of course, plans to develop a large industrial estate at Bomen, providing the final part of the project.
Having spent so much time developing the RiFL plan, it is actually sensible of council to look for other ways to promote Wagga’s attractiveness to potential businesses.
Not every business will need a block at Bomen, but a great many are going to appreciate the ready access of a major freight hub.
And, of course, success encourages success. As more businesses come to the city, there will be benefit to both them and the existing ones that will help creative a positive impression that continues to build on itself.