Corangamite Shire Council will undertake a Buy Local campaign to increase local spending with the help of a $10,000 Brumby Government grant announced today by the Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP.
Ms Tierney said the grant for the Corangamite – Buy Local, Try Local, Supply Local Program would be provided to the Shire Council through the Government’s Provincial Victoria Buy Local program.
Ms Tierney said the Victorian Government was supporting the campaign because it would help raise the profile of local business and industry groups as well as the diversity of regional products and services to other stakeholders within the same area.
“The local Corangamite dairy industry has slumped to a point where the farm gate price of milk is lower than the cost it takes to produce it,” Ms Tierney said.
“With the dairy industry making up over 26 percent of the shire’s employment, keeping community money within the local economy is now more important than ever.”
Ms Tierney said features for the new project will include a Buy Local Expo, the development of marketing materials, local media coverage and a dedicated printed directory and website.
“A campaign to redirect local spending to local and regional businesses is seen as a high priority by business, government and the local community,” Ms Tierney said.
“An important aspect of the project will also involve training for local businesses to build the capacity to ensure sustainability of the campaign for the future.”
Ms Allan said that the campaign will enhance the capability of the region’s industry stakeholders to identify strategies for improving business-to-business activity in the region.
“The Corangamite Buy Local, Try Local, Supply Local project will translate into a more positive local community and will help retain skilled workers and create career opportunities for young people,” Ms Tierney said.
“The project will reduce economic leakage by educating industry and the community on the economic benefits associated with sourcing products and services from inside of the region.
“It will also help increase local prosperity, opportunities for employment growth and further investment attraction.”
The Corangamite Shire Council has also allocated $10,000 toward the $20,000 project and local progress associations are also supporting the initiative and will assist in promoting the Buy Local values through their communities.
Ms Tierney said the grant for the Buy Local Campaign would be provided to the Corangamite Shire through the Brumby Government’s Provincial Victoria Buy Locally program.