The NSW Government is supporting the Yass Valley business community through their Small Business Month program being held throughout the month of November.

Yass Valley Business Chamber (YVBC) independently wrote a letter (a copy can be found below) introducing YVBC and policy. Further a set of questions were put to candidates in an attempt to give candidates an additional opportunity to provide more detail about themselves and their election platform.

Join Us For 2021 Late Night Shopping On The 16th and 23rd December.

This Presidents Report has been prepared for the Annual General Meeting on Friday 1 October 2021 at 7.30am. I’d like to start first by acknowledging Glen Wynn, who was elected as President at the last AGM. Glen resigned at the end of last year due to family commitments and I was elected as President by the committee to fill the casual vacancy until this AGM. Glen and Jim’s leadership established a very strong foundation that Jim and myself have built upon. It’s been a pleasure to work with the current committee who have all put in a tremendous effort and time over the past 12 months. Past 12 Months The past 12 months have been full of twists, turns and plenty of uncertainty. With that said, the Yass Valley Business Chamber has been a strong advocate for local business in the Yass Valley. We have actively worked within the framework of the 2020-2021 Strategy not only engaging with all levels of Government but we have implemented and organised a range of strategic partnerships, plans and events that have all been aimed at helping to improve the situation for business in the Yass Valley. Member's Support Each of Member of the Committee (past and present) donates their valuable time to help progress the Strategy of the Yass Valley Business Chamber. The Committee cannot, however, do it alone. Your support is critical to the success of the Chamber. Your participation is vital, through collective collaboration we are able to make sure business in Yass Valley has a strong voice. By becoming a member or renewing your membership we are able to utilise the subscription fee to help keep the Chamber operational and business thriving into the future. Past Year’s Achievements Below is a list of key items the Yass Valley Business Chamber has managed and/or delivered in the past 12 months: Media exposure partnerships with Yass Valley Times (valued at $23,364) and Region Media (valued at $30,250). Includes exposure of member’s businesses, promoting Yass Valley and the Chamber. Representing the Business Community on committees such as the Economic Development Committee and Local Emergency Management Committee. Advocacy on the Yass Main Street Master Plan which is now included in Council’s budget with planning works soon commencing. Advocacy on the Crago Mill Precinct including engaging with Council for additional community engagement. Advocating with Yass Valley Council to capture more grants funding such as ‘Your High Street Grant'. Regular Government Engagement including meetings with Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain MP, NSW Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman MP, Various Government Departments (Service NSW, AusIndustry) and Yass Valley Councillors & Staff. Organising and running local business networking events including Business Breakfast, Yass Connect and Netwalking. Organising & running two Small Business Month workshops helping businesses to start and excel with social media. Developing the Yass Valley Business Chamber Policy Document for Government Advocacy. Engaging and advocating for more Business Leaders to stand for Council. Formal submission on the Yass Valley Community Strategic Plan. Managing the Yass Valley Gift Card scheme and its handover to the VIC. Organising and contributing towards community events including Christmas Late Night Shopping. Council Customer Service Survey. Supporting members by providing information about grants, incentives and programs. Website update and face lift. Ongoing Facebook and Newsletter engagement with members. In closing, thank you to all our members for your ongoing support. Also, a big thank you to the 2021 Committee for your time and commitment including: Vice President – Jim Hutton, OBE Secretary – Jacquie Tewes Treasurer – Nyree Ashton Previous Public Officer – Ian McClung New Public Officer / Committee Member – Andrew Curlewis Committee Member – Marie-Nicole Roberts Committee Member – Carly Hartas Committee Member – Duncan Waugh Committee Member – Andy Scanlan  Jack Walker President

Great initiative by Yass Valley Council which is putting on a series of free zoom workshops with some of the best names in sustainability. Details below.

The Yass Valley Business Chamber (YVBC) encourages any local business seeking to expand its operations and resultantly create new regional based jobs to look at the Regional Job Creation Fund. The fund has a current round open and is offering to co-fund eligible projects. In order to help make applying easier, our local Business Development Manager from the Department of Regional NSW has offered assistance to any Yass Valley Business interested in applying. If you are interested, please email the YVBC, we will provide a letter of support along with further contact details: info@yassbusiness.com.au A Brief Overview The aim of the fund is to target engine industries looking to expand and aims to create 5,000 new full-time jobs in regional NSW over the next 3 years. Examples of eligible projects could include the: replacement, upgrade or adaptation of plant and equipment at an existing regional NSW business establishment of an additional production line for an existing regional NSW business onshoring of activity currently done overseas to a regional NSW location development of new regional tourism experiences and visitor attractions relocation of a business operation from out of state to regional NSW The Fund's focus is to co-fund projects and applicants must provide a minimum of 50% cash co-contribution to the project while the NSW Government contribution will be limited to $20,000 per new job created through the project. There's a two step application process: Preliminary Stage - 7 days from date of submission Detailed application - 12 weeks from date of submission More Information Guidelines and eligibility criteria are found under the Program Information section: www.investregional.nsw.gov.au/investment-support/regional-job-creation-fund/

The RDA Southern Inland is a Federally funded NGO which aims to improve jobs, investment and community through programs and engagement with key stakeholders. The vision of RDA Southern Inland is to create a strong and vibrant Southern Inland community with abundant investment, business, employment and educational opportunities. Two weeks ago the RDA Southern Inland met in Yass for regional meetings consisting of a day of business tours, council engagement, leaders dinner and their committee meeting. The focus of the trip was to engage with businesses and industry leaders to better understand the successes and challenges they face which are unique to their area. Members of Yass Valley Business Chamber committee (YVBC) were invited to the networking dinner held on the 19th November 2020. Also present at the dinner were the Mayor of Yass, the CEO of Canberra Region Joint Organisation, the President of the NSW Farmers local branch, members of the Department of Regional NSW, Riot ACT and a number of local business owners. The night provided a fantastic opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities being faced by our members and local businesses alike. The YVBC thank the RDA Southern Inland for organising the evening and encourage strongly the ongoing cooperation of RDA Southern Inland, Canberra Regional Joint Organisation and Yass Valley Council in capturing and supporting investment of key Economic Development priorities for the Yass Valley.

During the year, Yass Valley Business Chamber (YVBC) in consultation with members formulated our vision, purpose and values; all of which contributed towards the establishment of our 2020-2021 Strategy. One of our Strategic Priorities is ‘Government Engagement’ specifically being a voice of local business to government, representing local businesses on individual and collective matters, working with local government on policy formation and implementation and actively seeking government and non-government grants. In-line with this Strategic Priority we have put together a short survey (3-5 minutes) which is focused on understanding your experience with Yass Valley Council and in particular the customer service you experienced. Further, we would also like to understand if Council made it easier or more difficult for you to undertake economic and business activity within the Yass Valley. We would love to hear from every YVBC member. We would also like to hear from other members of the business community who are not members, so feel free to share this email. We respect and protect all personal information. There is very limited and optional personal information collected in the survey, with that said, no-personal information will be shared. The results from this survey will be analysed and shared with YVBC Members, the Wider Community and Yass Valley Council for the benefit of moving business forward within the Yass Valley especially during this time of COVID-19.