Hendy Cowan

Hendy Cowan

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    Recognition for home-based businesses

    21/09/2000 10:16 AM
     
    21/9/00


      Home-based businesses in the State’s South-West can look forward to increased recognition and support, following recent funding from the State Government.

      Minister for Small Business Hendy Cowan said funding through the Small Business Initiatives Fund (SBIF) would enable the Leschenault and Busselton-Dunsborough Business Enterprise Centres to better understand the size and complexity of the home-based business sector in their region.

      He said the funding – in excess of $42,000 - would enable a database of home-based businesses to be developed for the region.

      More than 77 per cent of Western Australia’s small businesses either operate at home (where most of the work is carried out at home) or from home (where the business has no other premises other than the home of the operator).

      “By gathering specific data in the South-West, this project will enable BEC managers to identify the specific training needs of home-based businesses and develop appropriate workshops and training aids to service this sector,” Mr Cowan said.

      The SBIF, administered through the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC), is an initiative of the State Government.

      Mr Cowan said it was encouraging to see the range of projects that had been developed so far under this fund.

      Projects have included a conference for women in small business, E-Commerce projects, and an excellence in rural business project. All of these projects had taken place in regional WA.

      Media contacts:

      Peter Jackson (Minister’s office) 9222 9595
      Michelle Downie (SBDC) 9220 0215