Indigo Shire based small business owners will soon be able to book an appointment for one-on-one confidential general business advice without having to travel to Albury-Wodonga or Wangaratta.

Indigo Shire Council has joined forces with the Albury Wodonga Area Consultative Committee and the North East Victorian Area Consultative Committee to offer its local small businesses an opportunity to access free and confidential business advice in their own hometown.

A Small Business Field Officer will be available to meet in person with business owners on specific days at locations throughout the Indigo Shire. 

Indigo Shire Council is encouraging businesses to take up this opportunity to gain some free general advice.

Indigo Shire Council Economic Development Officer Ms Tammy Atkins said this initiative would offer local businesses an opportunity to discuss any concerns or issues they may have in a confidential one-on-one setting, without having to travel to Albury-Wodonga or Wangaratta.

She said she hoped local businesses would take up this opportunity for free business advice.

“The Small Business Field officer Program is a way for local businesses to access confidential, one-on-one business information with no strings attached,” she said.

“Our two Small Business Field Officers, Jeanie Hall and Heidi Neumeister have a wealth of knowledge that they’re able to share with local businesses and Indigo Shire Council is pleased to assist them to provide this service throughout our Shire.

“This isn’t a new service, as Small Business Field Officers have been available for a number of years, it’s just a new way of operating the service.

“Both Council and the Small Business Field Officers appreciate that business owners and operators are not always able to travel to Albury-Wodonga or Wangaratta for advice, so we’re bringing the service to them.”

The program will begin operating in Beechworth on the 1^st June from 10.30am to 7.00pm at Councils main office, Yackandandah on 11^th July from 9.00am to 5.00pm at Council offices, Rutherglen on 21^st August from 9.00am to 4.30pm at the Rutherglen Rural Transaction Centre, Chiltern on 6^th October from 9.00am to 5.00pm at the Senior Citizens Hall and again in Beechworth on 13^th November from 10.30am to 7.00pm at Councils main office.

Beechworth and Yackandandah businesses can book an appointment by phoning Albury Wodonga Area Consultative Committees Heidi Neumeister on (02) 6041 6600 or email heidi@awacc.com.au.

Chiltern and Rutherglen businesses can book an appointment by phoning North East Victoria Area Consultative Committee by contacting Jeanie Hall on (03) 5722 4533 or email sbfowang@nevacc.com.au.