NEW BUSINESS ADVISOR FOR THE MID TO UPPER LIMESTONE COAST REGION APPOINTED Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast Inc is pleased to welcome Mr Steve Chapple to the newly created role of Business Advisor to service the Mid to Upper Limestone Coast region. Steve is well known to many business, industry, government and community stakeholders across the region through his role as Regional Manager Southern South Australia with AusIndustry for the past 11 years. Steve’s background also includes 25 years of service to the South Australian Police Department and three years as Economic Development Manager with the Wattle Range Council. “Steve brings a wealth of regional knowledge to the Board and his vast experience in dealing with local businesses, community groups and Government Departments will be in-valuable in kick-starting this new initiative across the Mid to Upper Limestone Coast Region”, said RDALC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mike Ryan. The Mid to Upper Limestone Coast Business Advisor Service is being funded under the Commonwealth Government’ Small Business Advisory Service (SBAS) program, which aims to maximise the growth potential, prosperity and sustainability of small businesses through enhanced access to information and advice on issues important to establishing, sustaining and/or growing a small business. This program aims to achieve these objectives by improving the business and/or financial management skills of participating small businesses. Funding has been received for a two year period to provide a free advisory, assistance and referral service to regional small businesses, the home based business sector, business networks and prospective small business start-ups, in the towns of Naracoorte, Lucindale, Robe, Kingston and Keith. These towns represent 38% of the region’s total 7,272 businesses, with 94.4% of those businesses reported as being non-employing or employing less than 20 employees. This service will complement the existing long running Small Business Advisory Service provided by the RDALC through Michaela Bell, which will now focus on the Lower Limestone Coast region, made up of the City of Mount Gambier, District Council of Grant and Wattle Range Council areas. For further Information contact:- Mike Ryan, CEO Steve Chapple PH: 8723 1057 – 0428 252 422 0409 082 163 st Date: 1 March 2013 PO Box 1445, Mount Gambier SA 5290 P: 8723 1057 F: 8723 1286 E: [email protected] .