To our Maribyrnong Business Community,

As we slowly edge closer to the warmer months, the City is gaining momentum with lots of things to see, do and experience around town. Check out the Love Your Local Website for some fun 'Springspiration'.

The 2022/23 Business Elevate Program is now open! Council is seeking Expressions of Interest from local businesses who would like to be one of our preferred suppliers for this round of business grants. Read below for more information. 

Expressions of Interest are also open for food vendors who wish to participate in the Footscray Night Market series in December. See how you can become involved. 

There are only 6 months until the single use plastic ban will come into effect. See how your business can prepare ahead of time. 

If you're looking at upskilling and improving your digital presence, ASBAS are running a number of free workshops to help your business grow. Booking links can be found below. 

There's so much more to discover in this month's edition. We hope it is useful.

Best Wishes 
Economic Development Team, Maribyrnong City Council



The Business Elevate Program is a Business-to-Business (B2B) voucher based program.  Later this year in October, small businesses within Maribyrnong City will be able to apply for $2,000 vouchers (from a total pool of $100,000) to help elevate their business forward, from a list of “preferred business suppliers” in a range of categories. 

We are firstly looking for established local BUSINESSES to be the “preferred business suppliers” in the categories listed below. Your business will be expected to be able to provide services to small businesses that apply for a voucher, for offers or packages valued at $2,000+GST (PLUS a $200+GST activation fee payable by the recipient) in ONE of the following areas:

1.       Accounting/Bookkeeping

2.       Business Coaching/Business Consulting

3.       Copywriting/Public Relations

4.       Digital Marketing/SEO

5.       Graphic Design/Visual Merchandising

6.       Human Resources/Recruitment

7.       Legal/Intellectual Property

8.       Marketing Consulting/Advertising

9.       Photography

10.   Printing/Signage

11.   Videography

12.   Web Design/Mobile App Development

If you are interested in becoming a provider in this years’ BUSINESS ELEVATE PROGRAM, review the guidelines now.

We will be holding an information session via Zoom to discuss how the Business Elevate Program will work and answer any of your questions on Wednesday 17th August at 11am. Note RSVP is essential, via email to business@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

Applications close Wednesday 31 August 2022 at 5pm.


Apply Now

The 'Love Your Local - Mari' campaign is continuing to profile some of our amazing business owners and operators with new stories being released each week.  Some of the recently profiled businesses include:
Le Spa de Jour; Trouble in dreams; Pinot and Picasso; Sedonia; D&K Live Seafood; School of Sewing & Upcycling.

Check out the 'Meet the Locals' section of the Love Your Local website or keep an eye out on the Council Facebook page as new stories are released each week.

Visit the Love Your Local Mari website.

The Footscray Night Market is set to return this December taking place on three Friday evenings in the beautiful historic gardens of Railway Reserve Footscray. 

Each Friday night will offer a different cuisine from around the world that’s matched with a full line-up of entertainment that showcases each culture.

Applications are now open if you are you a local food traders who are interested to trade at the Footscray Night Market!

Apply Now 

To reduce plastic pollution, Victoria is banning problematic single-use plastics from sale or supply from 1 February 2023. This includes straws, cutlery, plates, drink-stirrers, cotton bud sticks and expanded polystyrene food and drink containers.


Find out how you can start preparing for the ban now

Council has a strong commitment toward inclusion and equality and takes pride in this City's diverse community, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and questioning, and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people, families, and communities.

We've now developed a draft LGBTIQA+ Strategy and Action Plan, based on conversations with the community in late 2021 and early 2022, which identifies ways Council can help strengthen social and economic inclusion and reduce barriers to participation by the LGBTIQA+ in our municipality.

You can help us confirm this approach by taking a look at the draft strategy and action plan and completing the latest questionnaire below by 5:00pm, Sunday 21 August 2022.

Complete Questionnaire Now

Ready for Growth is a Victorian Government initiative to support 1000 Victorian businesses with high growth potential to access new markets and create jobs.

Ready for Growth provides businesses with tailored advisory services by expert Growth Facilitators. The program is being delivered by Business Victoria with delivery partner BDO Australia.

Ready for Growth will help businesses:

  • develop a Growth Action Plan
  • build capabilities for growth
  • find grants and programs to support growth
  • improve connections to networks and ecosystems
Expressions of Interest are now open

Jobs Victoria, in partnership with the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN), are supporting small and medium-sized businesses to recruit and train 500 jobseekers to address critical workforce shortages.

Small and medium-sized hospitality businesses urgently needing staff can access the pool of workers for roles with at least 20 hours of work per week, for at least one week and up to 26 weeks, to assist in managing staff shortages.

Apply Now 

Digital Solutions – Australian Small Business Advisory Services Program works with small businesses to make the most of digital tools and offers broader advice specific to your business needs.

Registrations are now open for a number of FREE workshops to help your business in the digital space. Take a closer look below.

ASBAS Workshops

Tuesday 16 August - Elevate Your Branding: Brand New You (Build Your Personal Brand)
Friday 19 August - Beginner SEO: Technical & Keyword
Tuesday 23 August - Streamline Your Digital Touchpoints
Friday 26 August - Boost Business with Facebook Advertising
Tuesday 30 August - Design Like a Pro with Canva

Australian Partners of Defence (APOD) is a membership-based platform founded by defence families, for defence families. It is Australia’s only official defence and veteran benefits program delivering everyday savings to over 120,000 defence and veteran families in partnership with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.  

 

They bridge the gap between businesses and the defence community by providing a ‘one stop shop’ for defence members, veterans, and their families.  


APOD works with businesses and organisations of all sizes to deliver exclusive offers to our members that recognise and acknowledge the unique nature of their military service.


Listing with APOD is completely free for businesses, so there is no risk, and a great opportunity to access potential customers you haven't reached yet. 

 

More Information