The SA Local Buying Foundation has approved funding for a business capability and capacity-building program designed to strengthen the local business landscape across the Upper Spencer Gulf, Far North, and Eyre Peninsula regions of South Australia. The initiative, spearheaded by Tactic, will target micro-businesses and SMEs, providing a tailored, needs-based approach to support and enhance local suppliers’ abilities to engage with major project proponents like Northern Water and BHP.
Set to run from May 2024 to October 2025, the program is strategically divided into four stages. The initial stages, already funded through Northern Water Project contributions and in-kind support from Tactic, focus on scoping the needs of regional suppliers and performing a gap analysis to highlight critical areas for improvement. Stage 3 (funded by the Local Buying Foundation) will deliver capability-building workshops and Stage 4 provides one-on-one support to address the key gaps identified.
Workshops are expected to be held in key regional centers such as Port Augusta, Roxby Downs, Whyalla, and Port Pirie. By enhancing the capacity of local businesses, this initiative boosts the immediate economic environment and a long-term legacy of stronger regional business capability and economic development.
More information about this program can be found here.