Thursday, 18 October 2018

The Andrews Labor Government is backing Victorians who want to start their own business but have faced barriers to achieving their dream.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today visited the Good Money microfinance store in Morwell to announce $2.6 million for a Microenterprise and Microfinance pilot program including $800,000 for the Latrobe Valley.

The Microenterprise program will be delivered in three locations by microfinance organisations Good Shepherd and Many Rivers.

Delivery of the program in the Latrobe Valley and Dandenong will be modelled on Good Shepherd’s LaunchME microenterprise development program. Many Rivers will deliver a microenterprise program in Broadmeadows.

The program will offer aspiring entrepreneurs training, business support, coaching, network creation and access to microfinance.

By supporting their professional development while offering them access to microfinance, the program will help participants to establish a successful microenterprise.

The program is being funded under the Labor Government’s Community Revitalisation program, which aims to support place-based solutions to unemployment and disadvantage.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“Microfinance offers opportunities for entrepreneurs with big ideas but limited access to financial support”

“We know that locals in the Latrobe Valley have big ideas for their microenterprise – and thanks to the support of the Labor Government, we’re making sure their ideas get off the ground”

“We’re sticking with the Latrobe Valley as promised – finding every way we can to make sure locals are supported to get work”