REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT VICTORIA BARWON SOUTH WEST REGION Presented by: Jim Phillips Business Development Officer Barwo

1. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT VICTORIA BARWON SOUTH WEST REGION Presented by: Jim Phillips Business Development Officer Barwon South West Region

2. Victorian Business Centre • Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development • Regional Development Victoria • Tradestart Export Advisor • Australian Taxation Office • Geelong Chamber of Commerce • Geelong Area Consultative Committee • VIC Urban (Part time) • Industry Capability Network (from 1 July 06) Located at 69-71 Moorabool Street, Geelong Telephone: 5229 0641

3. South West Region

4. Regional Development Victoria (RDV) • RDV is a statutory body established 3rd March 2003 • RDV has a charter to assist businesses and the business environment through regional Victoria • The primary focus of Regional Development Victoria (RDV) is to support economic and community development in rural and regional Victoria.

5. Regional Development Victoria (RDV) • RDV assists in the coordinated delivery of Government programs, services and resources in rural and regional Victoria and acts as a conduit between governments at all levels, business and community. It reports to the Minister for State and Regional Development on economic, social and environmental matters. • In achieving these objectives, RDV is specifically focusing on: • infrastructure developments, • industry development and investment facilitation, • services; and • capacity building.

6. Eligibility Criteria • THERE IS NO FUNDING FOR NEW BUSINESS START UPS (We need 2 Years of Sound Financials) • RDV builds the Victorian economy through creating: New Exports, Jobs, Investment & Import Replacement. • Funding is generally for assistance to access outside expertise to help the business grow.

7. Programs • ANM – Agenda for New Manufacturing • GYB - Grow Your Business • ODE – Opening Doors to Export Programs • RBIRP – Regional Business Investment Ready Program • RICP – Regional Industries Clusters Program

8. Regional Industries Cluster Program The Cluster program enables businesses and the tertiary sector to establish closer working relationships that can lead to a competitive advantage for their region.

9. Agenda for New Manufacturing • Funding up to 75% for small continuous improvement projects including waste minimisation aimed at sustainable business operation.

10. Grow Your Business • Business planning grants from 50% up to 75% which promote sustainable business operations. Generally such businesses will be expanding and have potential for either export or import replacement.

11. Opening Doors to Export Programs • Assistance to attend trade shows or to open new export markets. Trade shows can include sustainability expos or waste reduction trade shows.

12. Regional Business Investment Ready Program (RBIRP) • Business Stream: • Debt or Equity Workshops • Early Stage Invention/Innovation Workshops • Business Mentoring – Development and Commercialisation Funding • Business Mentoring – Investment Proposal • Investment Forums