A new government-developed centre for productivity and business has opened in Alice Springs, offering practical and monetary support for local manufacturing and mining businesses.
Called the Enterprise Connect Remote Enterprise Centre in Alice Springs, the centre cost the government $10 million and was devised to assist manufacturing, mining, carbon trading, land management and livestock companies get ahead of their overseas counterparts.
The centre was opened last week by Member for Lingiari, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, on behalf of the the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr.
Based in the Desert Knowledge Precinct, the centre offers services designed to boost productivity and competition amongst small and medium businesses in remote areas of Australia.
Central to its services are free onsite business reviews conducted by expert business advisers. Businesses can apply for dollar-for-dollar grants of up to $20,000 to make certain improvements to their businesses.
The centre also provides ongoing mentoring and access to industry thinking and technology through its connections with research organisations.
Remote businesses in the Territory, WA, SA, NSW and QLD will benefit from the centre, says a government press release.
“Remote enterprises are particularly important to the Territory economy where they face challenges of climate, isolation, staffing and infrastructure,” said the report.
“The Remote Enterprise Centre will offer the top-quality assistance needed for these businesses to thrive, creating high-wage, high-skill jobs for the future.”
The centre is part of the Rudd Government’s $251 million Enterprise Connect initiative.
Enterprise Connect is a national network of centres offering assistance to help firms become stronger by focusing on innovation, creativity and excellence.
For more information on Enterprise Connect, visit www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au or call the Enterprise Connect hotline on 131 791.