South Waikato District Council backs business support service

The South Waikato District Council, in association with Waikato Innovation Park, is offering a free and confidential business mentoring and support service.

"Small and medium sized businesses are truly the backbone of our economy so this service is designed to help our local businesses grow, innovate and achieve their goals," said Council's Marketing Officer Jason Boyce.

This Business Support Service will provide business people with a specialist business advisor who can provide an outside perspective and a free business needs assessment to support business growth plans.

The advisor can also point business owners towards free access to government funding programmes, Business Mentors New Zealand and the Food Innovation Network.

The service operates on the first Thursday of every month and is based at the Council office in Tokoroa.

"These hours are flexible," continued Mr Boyce. "Our specialist advisor can also meet with you at your own business locations to save you time and give you a better insight into your business."

"Our Council prides itself on the recent successes in economic growth - delivered through initiatives such as this one," said Craig Hobbs, Council's Chief Executive.

This initiative is an added value service complementing Council's existing Business Case Management service that walks new and existing business people through Council's regulatory functions, smoothing the sometimes complex regulation process.

"The initiative aligns with Council's strategic goal of growing our economy and creating more jobs for our local people," said Mr Hobbs. Ends: words: 239