The Singleton Business Chamber will welcome a new employee to their team later this year thanks to funding from Coal & Allied’s Community Development Fund.
The partnership, worth more than $100,000, will allow the Chamber to recruit a Business Development Officer who will be tasked with growing the Chambers’ presence locally as well as providing increased support to members and the opportunity to engage with more businesses.
As part of the project, the Chamber will also be setting up an office space in John Street that will act as an important access point for businesses in the region as well as providing space on a temporary or casual basis.
Singleton Chamber of Commerce Secretary Gill Eason said that the funding from Coal & Allied will allow them to reach more businesses to support economic capacity in the region.
“Evidence shows businesses who work alone are often less successful than those who are more connected within the community,” Gill said.
“This opportunity, along with the Chamber having a physical presence in Singleton will afford the Chamber the ability to have someone on the ground to engage with business more effectively and facilitate business feedback in a timely manner.”
“A huge thank you Coal & Allied for this funding. Organisations can only grow to the extent of their capabilities and this grant will allow the Chamber to go to next level to best support the business community in the region.”
Coal & Allied’s Community Development Fund Executive Officer Travis Bates said the Chamber is an important network within the Singleton community.
“Coal & Allied is pleased to partner with the Singleton Business Chamber as they continue to develop relationships with local businesses and look to increase benefits to their more than 160 members,” Travis said.
“We have worked with the Chamber for a number of years and we look forward to continuing this relationship and watching the Chamber prosper into the future.”
Coal & Allied has been part of the Hunter Valley community for more than 165 years and today manages three open cut coal mines – Mount Thorley Warkworth, Hunter Valley Operations and Bengalla. In 2013 their operations employed more than 2,500 employees and spent more than $1.5 billion with close to 1100 businesses across New South Wales.
To date their Community Development Funds have invested more than $16 million in the Hunter Valley and have recommitted a further $4.5 million over three years commencing in 2012 to build stronger, smarter and more sustainable communities around their operations.
Image | Gill Eason, Travis Bates and Gail Easton
