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What is Economic Development?
Economic development is defined as the practice of stimulating, attracting and maintaining business activity and/or employment within the region. Economic development, as an outcome, refers to an improvement in the economic wellbeing of the municipality typically measured by the number of jobs, higher incomes and increased investment.
A Diverse Economic Base
The Swan Hill Rural City is fortunate to have a diverse economic base with a number of key industries such as:
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Tourism
- Government and Community Services
Economic Development is a key function of Council. The Council Plan 2009-2013 is centred on economic development and population growth. Council has looked beyond the 4 year cycle of the plan and has developed a vision for the Swan Hill municipality that will lead us towards 2040.
Link to Council Plan
Link to Economic Profile
Swan Hill Rural City Council's Economic Development Unit
The Economic Development Unit can assist with a range of enquiries including statistical information, advice and referrals. The unit can help identify potential funding sources and assist with funding applications.
Whether you are starting a new business, or expanding an existing one - Council's Economic Development Unit is an ideal first point of contact. The unit's aim is to promote economic activity in the Swan Hill Rural City Council by assisting business development and investment.
Council will influence investment and business development through:
- Establishing and facilitating business networks
- Being proactive in attracting new investment
- Enhancing existing industry clusters and developing new clusters
- Supporting appropriate business development
- Nurturing entrepreneurialism
- Marketing, promotion and advertising
Council will facilitate a positive business environment through:
- Undertaking specific infrastructure and / or development
- Facilitating training and capacity building initiatives
- Providing regulatory, planning and other support to businesses
- Providing business information and support services
- Providing preplanning meetings with potential investors and developers
Council's Economic Development Strategy
Alongside the Swan Hill Rural City Council Plan 2009-2013 (which sets out overall strategic direction for the organisation and the region), Council views the Economic Development Strategy as one of the organisation's most important documents.
The importance of this document is also emphasised by the fact this strategy has seen buy in from departments across the entire Council organisation, with every department having a role to play in economic development - including working with businesses, community organisations and government towards the prosperity of the region.
The document also links in with the overall regional strategic vision for the area, the Loddon Mallee Regional Strategic Plan – Northern Region, which provides a blueprint for the future of the northern region - the importance of which is identified throughout this document.
This strategy has been developed through an extensive consultation process, including with business, community organisations and government, and identifies five strategic themes for the direction and growth of the region, setting out a number of actions to achieve each of these strategic areas.
These themes are:
- Attracting new business investment,
- Supporting Existing Businesses to Grow
- Marketing the Region
- Addressing Infrastructure Needs
- Education and Skills Development
Link to Economic Development Strategy
Stay Up to Date With Economic Development
Council's Economic Development Unit also produces a quarterly newsletter. The aim of the newsletter is to keep the business community informed about the Swan Hill Rural City Council's economic development initiatives, and to provide useful items of business news.
Link to Previous Newsletters
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Start, Grow or Manage Your Business |
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If you are looking for information relating to requirements to Start, Grow or Manage your business, this resource is a great place to start! |
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