East Gippsland businesses connect

More than 60 East Gippsland businesses have registered on the new Gippsland Business Connect local business platform.

The website, funded by the Latrobe Valley Authority, now boasts more than 1100 registered users, while more than 60 local procurement opportunities worth $70 million have been posted to the platform.

East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor Cr Joe Rettino said registrations to the platform had exceeded expectations, which is great news for local businesses.

“Gippsland Business Connect is creating more visibility of the businesses in our region and helping more businesses to connect and spend locally,” Cr Rettino said.

“So far there are 68 East Gippsland businesses listed on the site, and we encourage business operators to have a look at the site, and list their businesses. It’s free to list your business and once your listed it’s a great way to receive updates on regional projects, business workshops and other support.

“That’s good for business, for jobs and the broader community,” Cr Rettino said.

The online network for local businesses can also promote events businesses are running, and there is access to a regional calendar of networking and professional development opportunities.

Sales and operations manager at locally-based company Vikon Precast, Toby Painter, said Gippsland Business Connect made it easy for him to find upcoming procurement opportunities across East Gippsland.

“Gippsland Business Connect helps us quickly find information about local projects that are coming up in the next few months,” Mr Painter said.

“By getting a heads up on opportunities we can connect with potential clients, better plan our tendering and start to build partnerships with other local suppliers we may want to work with,” Mr Painter said.

Head of Business Engagement with Gippsland Business Connect, Daley Thompson, said that it was now a lot easier for local suppliers to find local procurement opportunities.

“We’re working closely with the region’s local councils to publish a pipeline of procurements they have planned in the next three to six months,” Mr Thompson said.

“By letting suppliers know what projects are coming well before they go to tender, local suppliers can better plan for and prepare to win local work,” he said.

Gippsland Business Connect is part of the GROW Gippsland project, which is working to maximise the impact of local spend on the Gippsland economy, particularly focused on creating jobs and making sure everyone gets an opportunity for work in the region.

Gippsland Business Connect is funded by the Latrobe Valley Authority and is a partnership with East Gippsland, Baw Baw, Bass Coast, South Gippsland and Wellington shire council, Latrobe City Council and the Industry Capability Network.