Ways we currently support our business community?

We run a number of services, programs and activities to support our business community. Refer to the examples below.

  • Business Support Program

    Supporting businesses to adapt and innovate in response to changing market conditions.
    Funding of $2,000 plus GST is available for employing businesses and up to $1,000 plus GST for Sole Traders to work with a business advisor on a range of issues including but not limited to;
    • marketing
    • digital/technology
    • operations and logistics
    • workforce
    • financial management
    • business development.
    Check out how local businesses have used grants. 

  • Western Business Leaders

    Supporting local businesses through networking, events, workshops and training.

    Our Western Business Leaders group is open to all businesses large and small and provides an opportunity for our local businesses to connect and meet like-minded people. Our regular and varied events share industry intelligence, market outlooks and information on the resources, support and mentoring available.

    Check out the story with Pru on why she loves being part of the WBL: https://youtu.be/bvgboeoy4WY

    Sign up here 

  • Women in the West

    Women in the West was launched to provide an inclusive series of events to improve the visibility, confidence and capability of women in business in our region. Through quarterly events we provide opportunities to connect with subject matter experts, encourage women to share their knowledge and experience, expand their networks and collaborate.

  • Entrepreneurship

    Developing the entrepreneurial capabilities of our residents helping them turn their business concept into a reality through supporting scholarships in two Business SA programs:

    • South Australian Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (SAYES) for young and innovative entrepreneurs aged 18-35 years.
    • The Encore program for South Australians aged 35 and above.

  • Local Jobs and Employment

    Connecting our local businesses with jobseekers and helping people into employment was a key role for the team in 2023.

    Re-starting your Career, helping women into meaningful employment, the Western Adelaide Refugee and Migrant Careers Forum and the Western Adelaide Jobs Expo are just some of the ways that we did this.

    Our upcoming events will be shared on our Networking and Events page

  • Marketing and Promotion

    Promoting local business stories of success, resilience and innovation.

    The Charles Sturt Business Facebook page was set up to share your local business success stories, latest news and events.

    Join our Charles Sturt Business Facebook community 

  • Adelaide Beaches Promotion

    Supporting our tourism, hospitality and visitor sector businesses in the western region by:

    • Marketing and promoting the region as a business and visitor destination through the Adelaide Beaches website and destination marketing campaigns.
    • Showcasing local businesses and opportunities to drive awareness of the region as a business and visitor destination.
    • Running events, workshops and training.
    • Supporting businesses to sign up to the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse to ensure they are seen.
    Check out the Adelaide Beaches website 

  • Buy Local Program

    Supporting local businesses to supply goods and services to government through:

    • Running Buy Local events with information on how to supply goods and services to government.
    • Running workshops on how to write successful tenders.
    • Sharing open tenders on our LinkedIn page and in the Western Business Leaders newsletter.

  • Live and Local Program

    Supporting live music venues, creating employment opportunities for local artists and encouraging collaboration between musicians and local businesses to encourage residents and attract new customers to attend live events in local businesses and re-energise public places.

    • Up to $2,000 plus GST is available per applicant for solo, duo or trio performers
    • Up to $4,000 plus GST for bands comprising of 4 musicians or more.

  • Creative Cities - Arts and Cultural Program

    Supporting local Artists and Arts organisations to develop new one off or time limited creative projects that encourage public engagement in the Arts. Up to $5,000 (plus GST) is available per applicant.

    Funding can be used for public art, visual arts, performing arts, moving image, literary arts and interdisciplinary arts.