City of Logan Mayor Darren Power this week joined Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer and Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Maree Adshead, to become the 16th council state-wide to sign the charter.

Representatives from the three local chambers of commerce – Logan, Logan Regional and Beenleigh-Yatala – also co-signed the charter.

There are more than 22,000 small businesses across the City of Logan that help drive the local economy and provide local jobs.

By signing the Small Business Friendly Councils charter, Council has committed to supporting those local small businesses in their specialist areas and helping to reduce red tape.
Cr Power said pledging to the charter added to Council’s existing high-level and multi-faceted support for local business.

This includes the Council-operated Logan Office of Economic Development, which offers small business advice, workshops and assistance towards relocation, expansion and redevelopment.

Council this month also endorsed a new Economic Development Strategy 2022-2027, which is driven by a vision that ‘Logan’s economy is everyone’s business, with Council leading the way’.

The Strategy also includes the formation of the Mayor’s Local Job and Skills Taskforce, which will engage with local businesses to create employment opportunities.

“In addition to helping them build a resilient and sustainable workforce, Council will work closely with existing businesses across all sectors to grow the local economy and attract new customers and investment,” Cr Power said.

Minister Farmer said small businesses are the heart and hubs of local communities.

“They are our families, our friends, our neighbours and they keep our communities strong,” Minister Farmer said.

“It’s fantastic that so many councils have committed to the small business friendly charter, with many others lining up to join them.”

Commissioner Adshead said the whole community benefits when councils work closely with local business.

“I look forward to continuing to work with all concerned to bring real benefits to the local small business community in the Logan region,” she said.

To support local businesses and the community, Council has launched the ‘Think Local, Buy Logan’ campaign which encourages locals to shop locally.

To set an example, Council has also committed to a ‘Buy Logan’ procurement policy with a target of channelling 45 per cent of Council’s $500 million annual products and services spend towards local providers.

Council today endorsed the strategy which is driven by a vision that ‘Logan’s economy is everyone’s business, with Council leading the way’.

The Economic Development Strategy 2022-2027, accompanied by a five-year Implementation Strategy, was developed after extensive community and stakeholder consultation and feedback.

The development of the Strategy included an independent economic analysis report and eight economic opportunity roundtable events with stakeholders and local business owners.

A prevailing theme across all consultation activities was the high level of business and community confidence in the City of Logan’s economic future, despite the setbacks of the last year due to pandemic lockdown and restrictions.

There was also a strong desire among local businesses to support City of Logan residents through education, training, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The new strategy will see Council’s economic support directed into major areas including:

• Growth from within by supporting the evolution of existing businesses and industries
• A focus on job quality, training and career pathways for youth and job seekers
• Leveraging the city’s location and strengths to attract national and international businesses
• Tapping into emerging industries
• Further development of the local day and night-time economies to nurture hospitality, creative and entertainment options

Mayor Darren Power has taken a hands-on approach to boosting the local economy with the formation of the Mayor’s Local Job and Skills Taskforce, which will engage with local businesses to create employment opportunities.

He said Council would also be strongly promoting and supporting Council’s ‘Buy Logan’ procurement policy, which has a target of channelling 45 per cent of Council’s annual products and services spend towards local providers.

“Every business in Logan matters and Council will continue to work with them all to help consolidate their existing core operations while also building for future growth, resilience and success,” Cr Power said.

Economic Development Chair, Deputy Mayor Jon Raven said Council will continue to build on recent success in attracting new investment to the city as well as tapping into new and emerging industries.

“The City of Logan is already a destination of choice for national and international businesses looking to expand or relocate,” Cr Raven said.

“This Strategy will ensure we continue to be a leader in driving economic growth and creating local jobs.”

The Strategy also includes programs to boost employment and education opportunities for local youth. These include:

• Collaborating with schools and education providers
• Expanding the popular Catapult youth entrepreneurial and enterprise skills program
• Developing programs that help align businesses and skills with local jobseekers

“Young people make up 30 percent of our population but are 100 per cent of our future,” Cr Raven said.

“We want Logan’s youth to actively participate in the growth of our city – economically, socially and culturally.”

A publicly available version of the Economic Development Strategy will be made available by the end of the year.