It’s simple: finish uni, come to the Shire and start a small business
Posted on Wednesday, October 2003
It's simple: finish uni, come to the Shire and start a small business
If you're coming to the end of your studies and you have a great business idea, or you have an existing business and you're looking for ways to expand, then the Sutherland Shire Hub for Economic Development may be ideal for you. The SSHED is an exciting initiative to support and nurture small businesses.
Sutherland Shire Council's aim is to help entrepreneurs through the most challenging time of their business career and enable them to reach their full potential. The SSHED offers an outstanding location, expert business resources, the latest technology, mentoring and marketing assistance to help young businesses grow and prosper.
'If Wollongong Uni graduates want to start a business in Sutherland Shire, we're only too happy to support them. By providing assistance to businesses in the early stages of development it promotes success, thereby creating jobs, stimulating economic growth and attracting new enterprises to the area,' said Mayor of Sutherland Shire, Councillor Phil Blight.
'We are providing an environment that nurtures ideas, learning, networking, innovation and success.'
Construction of the brand new $2.4 million SSHED was completed in August and it already has XX tenants. The building is located in the Loftus TAFE complex and has space for 24 small to medium-sized businesses, a meeting room, café, reception area and administrative support.
The University of Wollongong will be moving in to one wing of the building in November 2003. Courses offered next year from the university's Loftus Education Centre will include three undergraduate degrees and a part-time Master of Management program.
Chairman of council's Economic Development Committee, Councillor Ken McDonell, said the Shire provides the ideal setting for new generation businesses with the SSHED located in a modern, architect-designed building with landscaped surrounds.
'The SSHED is only a short trip to Sydney airport and Port Botany, close to the main southern railway line and part of a growing metropolitan region less than 20km from Sydney 's CBD,' he said.
Businesses selected to join the SSHED are charged a monthly rental fee which covers the cost of office accommodation, IT infrastructure, computer usage, etc, and is below the cost of standard commercial office rental for southern Sydney .
After 18 to 24 months at the SSHED, businesses will 'graduate', leaving the incubator to compete in the open market place. However, the SSHED will continue to offer support and mentoring services to these businesses.
Tenants so far include a software company, an architectural computer modelling group and a high-tech employment service for tradespeople.
Take the first step to realising your future business potential by applying to be part of the business incubator program. To find out more please phone: (02) 9545 7707, email ssbi@ssc.nsw.gov.auor visit council's website: www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au
The SSHED is an initiative of the Sutherland Shire Council,
the federal and NSW state governments,
The University of Wollongong and the Southern SydneyInstitute of TAFE .
Contact:
Clr Phil Blight, 9710 0360 (office), 9524 4680 (home), (0414) 193 644 (mobile)
Clr Ken McDonell, 9545 2725 (home), (0414) 193 611 (mobile)
Council's Senior Media Officer, Colin Smith, 9710 0344 (office), 0414 193 843 (mobile)
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