Growth boost opportunity for Chatswood businesses

Chatswood businesses will be able to access free programs to accelerate their business growth, as part of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the Chatswood Chamber of Commerce and Willoughby City Council.

Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor and Chatswood Chamber of Commerce President Warwick Andison signed the MOU on Monday, 10 October.

The MOU commits the Council and Chamber of Commerce to work together on economic opportunities and strategies, including advocating for major infrastructure projects and event funding for the Chatswood area.

In the first deliverable to flow from the MOU, the Council has partnered with the Chamber of Commerce and North Sydney-based business growth specialist BLD ACDMY to fund 15 accelerator program placements allocated to local businesses.

Each placement is valued at more than $1,000 per business.

The accelerator program will help these businesses with sales and marketing, people and performance and strategy and goal setting.

Mayor Taylor said the MOU and related accelerator program would help grow the LGA's vibrant economy, which supports more than 12,000 businesses and 78,000 jobs.

"The MOU formalises the relationship between Council and the Chatswood Chamber of Commerce and opens the door to greater opportunities for local businesses," Mayor Taylor said.

"I thank the Chatswood Chamber of Commerce and BLD ACDMY for working together with Council to offer free programs that will help local businesses prosper and continue to keep our local businesses strong and providing jobs for our community.

"This accelerator program is designed to empower some of our fantastic local businesses to grow and achieve their long-term goals."

Chatswood Chamber of Commerce President Warwick Andison said the MOU would help to bolster Chatswood's business community.

"This will help the Chamber grow and that growth will automatically flow through to the members in terms of ideas and potential new business for them." Mr Andison said.

"Each of the different members will be able to let everyone in the business community know what they can do for them and what opportunities there are for the future."

Businesses within the Willoughby City Council area are welcome to apply for the BLD ACDMY program, however priority is given to Chatswood businesses in this first round of the program.

To register interest in a free placement, simply fill out this form.

Photo caption: Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor and Chatswood Chamber of Commerce President Warwick Andison sign the memorandum of understanding, witnessed by (from left to right) Cr Craig Campbell, Cr Anna Greco, Willoughby City Council CEO Debra Just and Chamber members Carol Chen and Panbo Ye