Kangaroo Island gets its own small business support officer, while the Fleurieu will share one with the Adelaide Hills and Limestone Coast, under a new state government initiative.

Small business support officer positions have been created as part of the state government’s upcoming $14.25 million Small Business Strategy.

The tailored support to businesses in regional South Australia will be through the Office for Small and Family Business.

It aims to provide one-on-one assistance from officers who understand the unique challenges and opportunities of their region.

They will work with existing business support organisations – including industry groups, councils, regional chambers of commerce and Regional Development Australia – to ensure businesses have every opportunity to thrive.

Business support officers will work across the following identified zones:

• Zone 1: CBD and Inner / Eastern Suburbs.
• Zone 2: Adelaide Hills, Southern Suburbs, Fleurieu Peninsula and Limestone Coast.
• Zone 3: Eyre Peninsula, Far North and Outback.
• Zone 4: Murraylands and Riverland.
• Zone 5: Western/Northern Suburbs, Barossa, Clare Valley, Upper Spencer Gulf and Yorke Peninsula.
• Zone 6: Kangaroo Island.

Coordinator of the KI Business Hub Maria Waters has taken on the role of small business officer for the Kangaroo Island business community.

The hub was established as a bushfire recovery measure in 2020 and the state government has extended its funding so it can continue to offer local business owners in-house services, including access to government support services, events, training, coaching and infrastructure like meeting rooms and hot desks.

At the recent Community Cabinet on the Island, Minister for Small and Family Business Andrea Michaels took the opportunity to meet with a KI-based business owners and hosted a capability workshop on Business case writing and digital presence.

“Small and family businesses are at the heart of regional communities and deserve the same level of tailored support as on offer in Adelaide,” she says.

“Every region and community is different and during our extensive consultation with small business owners in regional areas we heard the need for tailored support.

“Our Small Business Support Officers are now travelling throughout their designated regions and connecting businesses with programs and resources designed to support their growth.”

Kangaroo Island Business Support Officer Maria Waters says regionally based business support officers are of utmost importance, playing a crucial role in bridging the gap between government and community.

“I’m excited about the prospect of building meaningful relationships with local stakeholders, advocating for their needs, and helping them navigate through government services and resources.

“It's fulfilling to know that my efforts can contribute to the overall development, growth and wellbeing of the Kangaroo Island business community and economy.”

To connect with a small business support officer, call the Office for Small and Family Business Infoline on 8429 3801 or visit the website.