Indigo Shire Council has extended its support for local businesses with the recent appointment of a COVID Business Concierge, a new six-month role funded by the Victorian Government as part of its efforts to assist in making Victorian businesses COVIDSafe.
The new COVID Business Concierge, Rachel Clayton, will form part of Indigo Shire Council’s Business Support Team and will be assisting local businesses, particularly hospitality businesses, to develop COVIDSafe practices to help prevent and manage COVID-19 outbreaks should they occur.
Rachel says, “I’m really excited to start and to be working closely with Indigo businesses. The last 18 months have shown how quickly restrictions and circumstances can change, so if I can help businesses feel more at ease and supported and ultimately help them to ensure they’re COVIDSafe, then I’m doing something really worthwhile.”
Indigo Shire Mayor, Jenny O’Connor says that the appointment of Rachel is just one more way that Council is throwing its support behind local business.
“Since December, our Business Support Team has been in touch with almost all of our local businesses one-on-one to listen to their needs and offer support. In doing so, they have helped businesses access over $1.5M in recovery funding. This support is critical and Rachel’s appointment will only enhance the huge impact this program has had already.” Councillor O’Connor said.
“We know how difficult the last 18 months has been for our local businesses with the ongoing lockdowns, restricted trading and travel restrictions taking a huge toll on local business operators. We are advocating to state and federal governments for the specific support needs of Indigo’s businesses and it is important for our businesses to know that we see them, we hear them and this program has been developed to assist in further supporting them.”
Councillor O’Connor says that while the program is aimed at supporting businesses now, it is also about future-proofing them to ensure that when Victoria re-opens post-pandemic, Indigo businesses are prepared and in a position to thrive into the future.
“Ultimately we want to see our towns and villages as prosperous, if not more so, than they were pre-pandemic, so through this program, we want to equip local traders to be prepared and ready to benefit from a flourishing local economy.”
Funding for the Indigo Shire Council Business Support Program will continue this financial year as part of Council’s ongoing commitment to COVID recovery and business support.
If your business requires support in ensuring it is COVIDSafe, Indigo Shire Council’s COVID Business Concierge can be contacted via the Indigo Shire Council website by calling 1300 365 003.
