Business representatives, MPs and officials from an agency which aims to strengthen the state’s economy have taken part in a jobs forum.
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Deputy Premier and Minister for Skills and Minister for Small Business John Barilaro and Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams hosted the Jobs for NSW Forum at Charles Sturt University Port Macquarie Campus on June 26.
It followed visits to Port Marina, Birdon, HF Hand Constructors and Bale Defence Industries.
“What we are seeing already in Port Macquarie are some great small businesses, great growth and there is a lot of innovation in that space,” Mr Barilaro said.
He said they were examples of great businesses located in regional NSW.
Mr Barilaro and Mrs Williams encouraged local entrepreneurs and fast-growing businesses to apply for funding under the NSW Government’s Jobs for NSW fund.
A $190 million state government investment over four years will help start-ups and fast-growing small to medium-sized enterprises succeed and create more jobs.
A minimum of 30 per cent of the fund, equal to $57 million, will be invested in regional NSW.
Jobs for NSW is a private sector-led and state government-backed initiative which aims to make the NSW economy as competitive as possible and therefore help create new jobs across the state.
The initiative will help deliver an election commitment to create 150,000 new jobs in the four years to March 2019.
Mrs Williams said she had arranged the visit for the Deputy Premier and officials from Jobs for NSW to showcase the region and to encourage more jobs and growth in high-potential business sectors.
Mrs Williams, at the forum, spoke about the North Coast Regional Plan, a 20-year blueprint for the future.
The state government’s vision for the North Coast is to create the best region in Australia to live, work and play thanks to its spectacular environment and vibrant communities.
Jobs for NSW chief executive officer Karen Borg said regional job creation is a prime focus for Jobs for NSW and they want to help grow the rich talent that they know exists on the Mid-North Coast.