Small business support officer starts work in the Murraylands

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South Australia’s Office for Small and Family Business has introduced a small business support officers scheme to serve businesses across SA, and the Murraylands and Riverland will receive their own.

As part of the government’s $14.25 million small business strategy, small and family business owners can access one-on-one assistance from officers familiar with the unique challenges and opportunities of the region.

Support officers provide tailored services to equip businesses with the information, support and resources needed to start, run and grow a business.

Small business support officer Luke Temme said he would schedule regular visits to Murray Bridge and was available to have appointments with businesses in the region.

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“Our role as business support officers is to help small and family business navigate government and help them access available support,” he said.

“We tailor this to each business, as they are all different and have different needs.

“We engage across all industry sectors; for example, yesterday I was speaking with a business owner that had recently taken over the running of the family business in the trade sector because her husband was no longer physically capable.

“We discussed a range of supports from businesses growth programs to pre-employment opportunities to recruit new staff, as well as fuel tax credits for businesses.

“One of the support programs we discussed was the Women in Business Foundations program, which she signed up to immediately.”

Mr Temme grew up in the Murraylands, and his family – who have been in small business for all of their working lives – are at Mannum.

“My dad owned the local hardware store and still works as an electrician in the region, and my mum had a leather goods business for years,” he said.

• Connect with a small business support officer: Call the Office for Small and Family Business info line on 8429 3801 or email diis.smallbusiness@sa.gov.au.