Welcome to the May issue of our business newsletter where you can find exciting news about upcoming events, grants and other valuable resources for your small business!

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Workshop for Inclusive Business Practices - Hospo online event and the Small Business Bus visiting Mount Beauty.

Do you want to update your business image library to maximise your marketing impact? You may be interested in participating in the 2024 Business Photography Initiative. Reach out to the Economic Development Team for more information.

Review your eligibility for grant opportunities and programs including Climate-smart Agriculture Program - Small Grants Round 1, Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, and First Nations Mentoring Program and keep an eye on upcoming opportunities including Agriculture Victoria - On-farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot.

Stay up to date with the latest government announcements affecting businesses including progressing Nature Positive law reforms.

Don't forget about the free small business support services currently available via funding from the 2022 Victorian Flood and Landslip including Business Recovery Advisory Service, Partners in Wellbeing and Small Business Bus.

Thank you for being part of the Alpine Shire business community. Stay tuned to Alpine Shire Business Hub for more updates and resources to help your business thrive.

Unlocking Accessibility: a Workshop for Inclusive Business Practices - Hospo by Tourism North East.

Online, Wednesday 8 May 2024 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Join Tourism North East and Latrobe Community Health Service for a workshop to explore the benefits of creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for people with disabilities in your hospitality business. For more information and to register, click here

Small Business Bus - Mount Beauty

Outside Mt Beauty CFA building, Friday 24 May 2024 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Business Recovery Advisers can help you will 1:1 tailored advice to help strengthen your business and support you in recovery. Sessions are FREE and run for 45 mins, bookings are recommended. For more information, click here

For a co-contribution of just $50, your business has the opportunity to participate in the 2024 Business Photography Initiative that is being subsidized by the Alpine Shire Council (valued at $1,000).

Marketing is a highly effective way for businesses to engage with their target audience and build brand recognition. In recognition of this, the Alpine Shire Council is offering limited spaces for local businesses to participate in a photography session to improve their library image for marketing and communications purposes. Images will be captured on site at select business locations in Autumn 2024 to maximise the Autumn leaf foliage for outdoor imagery (where relevant).

What will be included?

• Approximately 1 hr of photography on site at each business.
• Between 8-10 final images per business provided as electronic copies.

What are the eligibility requirements?

• Businesses must be residents or ratepayers of the Alpine Shire to participate in this initiative.
• Businesses are required to provide a co-contribution payment of $50.00 to participate in this initiative.

Please note that spots are limited for this initiative and businesses will be selected to participate based on a first in, first served basis.

If you are interested in updating your businesses image library, please reach out to the Economic Development team at economicdevelopment@alpineshire.vic.gov.au to learn more about how you can participate in the 2024 Business Photography Initiative.

Accelerator for Enterprising Women - Kickstarter Challenge

This program aims to provide the opportunity for female entrepreneurs to pitch their new business ideas within health and wellbeing, climate change and sustainability, community impact and fintech or ecommerce categories. More information about this program can be found here

Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme

This program provides incentives to households and businesses to encourage investment in small-scale renewable energy systems like rooftop solar, solar water heaters and air sourced heat pumps. By installing eligible renewable energy systems you can lower your energy bills, decrease your emissions footprint and earn financial incentives. More information about this scheme can be found here

First Nations Tourism Mentoring Program

This program provides access to free one-on-one mentoring to support First Nations tourism businesses to access culturally respectful business advice and support tailored to the First Nations tourism sector. More information about this program can be found here

Climate-smart Agriculture Program - Small Grants Round 1

Small Grants are for small-scale projects at the grassroots and community level that aim to support farmers and landholders to adopt sustainable agriculture best practices to improve on-farm productivity and build resilience to climate change. More information about this grant program can be found here

Agriculture Victoria - On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot

This program aims to support Victorian Farmers and growers to calculate their on-farm emissions, develop emissions reduction action plans and implement emission reduction activities on their farm.

Round 2 funding applications are expected to open in November 2024. More information about this program can be found here

Progressing our Nature Positive law reforms

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Changes to the Fair Work Act

There are new workplace laws as part of the Closing Loopholes changes which will take effect at different times from December 2023 to 2025. Stay up to date with the latest news on legislation changes and award changes. You can also download a copy of the timeline of changes.

Pay equality toolkit

The Pay equality toolkit provides resources to support Victorian small-to-medium enterprises to achieve pay equality in their workplace. For more information click here equal pay matters.

Business Recovery Advisory Service

Business Recovery Advisers provide expert guidance and tailored support to small businesses including:

• Identifying short- and long-term needs to ensure business continuity and resilience
• Creating strategies for business recovery and growth
• Access to other support services including financial counselling and business coaching.

Business Recovery Advisory Service is delivered by Business Victoria in partnership with Australian Industry Group (Ai Group). To find out more about the support available, click here

Partners in Wellbeing

Partners in Wellbeing provides free access to wellbeing coaches, financial counsellors and business advisors to support small business owners and their employees. To find out more about the support available, click here

Questions? Feedback? We would love to hear from you!

Send an email to economicdevelopment@alpineshire.vic.gov.au