Eight regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry groups have partnered with Horizon Power to provide support and services to small businesses as they recover from COVID-19.
Vibrant Regional Businesses is a community-led investment program developed by Horizon Power in collaboration with East Kimberley, Karratha & Districts, Carnarvon, Exmouth, Broome, Derby, Port Hedland and Esperance Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
The initiative aims to provide regional small businesses with the expertise and support they need to adapt to the ‘new normal’.
Small businesses will have the opportunity to access mentoring and planning, digital innovation, buy‑local campaigns and networking opportunities.
Between $10,000 and $30,000 will be administered by each of the eight regional chambers, starting this month.
H Ride’s Bozi Ivkovic says the company has adapted to the COVID-19 economy.
Bozi Ivkovic, owner and founder of Port Hedland transport company H Ride, says the company needed to adapt to a downturn in passengers because of pandemic restrictions.
“We were looking into different services that we can offer to our community,” Ivkovic says.
“The first thing was to start a delivery service for people in isolation, delivering food or groceries or even medications.”
Ivkovic was part of the ‘Open for Business’ campaign, run by her local Port Hedland CCI with the North West Telegraph.
“They helped us increase our presence on social media and the newspapers as well, offering our services and our opening hours,” Ivkovic says.
