Rio Tinto funding helps local businesses

Rio Tinto Coal Australia is helping local businesses capitalise on the current and future economic growth of the Central Highlands.

With assistance from the Blair Athol Community Development Fund, industry network organisation Hi-Net will employ a business development manager to develop and deliver strategies to local organisations to help stimulate new business, increase productivity and enhance skills.

Blair Athol Mine General Manager Operations, Andrew Cole, said the aim of the Fund is to work in partnership with the local community to provide positive community benefits.

"Over the next six months we will fund the employment of a business development manager to help Hi-Net implement the industry network locally and widen the range of products and services offered in the region," Mr Cole said.

"Local businesses are the foundation of our community and we rely on them to not only make the town economically viable but they also help give us a sense of community unique to smaller regional towns."

President Stephen Hooper, said Hi-Net aims to identify and address gaps in the supply chain using inputs from the business community and will target clients in the mining, engineering and agricultural sectors of the Highlands.

"With support from the Blair Athol Community Development Fund, we will be able to employ a manager who will be responsible for implementing new industry investment and diversification opportunities to businesses in and around the communities of Clermont, Capella and Emerald," Mr Hooper said.

"Hi-Net will seek to replicate successful industry networks that have stimulated new business and investment partnerships, increased productivity, and enhanced skills, quality and employment.

"Our aim in the long-term is to establish the Central Highlands region as a centre of excellence in service delivery and industry infrastructure."

This year the Blair Athol Community Development Fund has provided $198,865 to four programmes committed to ensuring the future development of Clermont.

ENDS

Media Enquiries:
Alison Smith
07 3361 4223 / 0438 787 038

Media release - Rio Tinto funding helps local businesses [PDF: 22 KB]