Logan City Council has underlined its commitment to supporting local business by signing the Small Business Friendly Councils charter.
City of Logan Mayor Darren Power this week joined Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer and Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Maree Adshead, to become the 16th council state-wide to sign the charter.
Representatives from the three local chambers of commerce – Logan, Logan Regional and Beenleigh-Yatala – also co-signed the charter.
There are more than 22,000 small businesses across the City of Logan that help drive the local economy and provide local jobs.
By signing the Small Business Friendly Councils charter, Council has committed to supporting those local small businesses in their specialist areas and helping to reduce red tape.
Cr Power said pledging to the charter added to Council’s existing high-level and multi-faceted support for local business.
This includes the Council-operated Logan Office of Economic Development, which offers small business advice, workshops and assistance towards relocation, expansion and redevelopment.
Council this month also endorsed a new Economic Development Strategy 2022-2027, which is driven by a vision that ‘Logan’s economy is everyone’s business, with Council leading the way’.
The Strategy also includes the formation of the Mayor’s Local Job and Skills Taskforce, which will engage with local businesses to create employment opportunities.
“In addition to helping them build a resilient and sustainable workforce, Council will work closely with existing businesses across all sectors to grow the local economy and attract new customers and investment,” Cr Power said.
Minister Farmer said small businesses are the heart and hubs of local communities.
“They are our families, our friends, our neighbours and they keep our communities strong,” Minister Farmer said.
“It’s fantastic that so many councils have committed to the small business friendly charter, with many others lining up to join them.”
Commissioner Adshead said the whole community benefits when councils work closely with local business.
“I look forward to continuing to work with all concerned to bring real benefits to the local small business community in the Logan region,” she said.
To support local businesses and the community, Council has launched the ‘Think Local, Buy Logan’ campaign which encourages locals to shop locally.
To set an example, Council has also committed to a ‘Buy Logan’ procurement policy with a target of channelling 45 per cent of Council’s $500 million annual products and services spend towards local providers.
