December 2020
We are Open for Business
Welcome to the final edition of Open for Business for 2020.

As one of the largest Councils in South Australia, we offer our community 160 different services while maintaining $1 billion in assets and have over $40 million of works underway.

Even though life has changed in 2020, this year the City of Marion has continued to achieve a lot in our business community. We have continued to grow our co-working space at Cove Business Hub, hosting 340 businesses through more than 30 workshops and events delivered both in person and online. We have expanded the Southern Business Mentoring Program with our six advisors delivering more than 440 sessions. Hallett Cove Business Association hosted their celebration of local business awards and welcomed more than 350 people to their 'Local is the New Black' Twilight Markets at the Cove Civic Centre. Southern Business Connections continue to be a leading business association in South Australia and despite restrictions, still held 19 events throughout the year.

We hope you have a safe and relaxing festive season and look forward to seeing you in 2021 for another exciting year for business in the City of Marion.
Revitalisation of the Edwardstown Precinct
Greening of Edwardstown
We have been checking off our action plan list for the Revitalisation of the Edwardstown Employment Precinct Project.

This year we have checked off:
  • Received an Economic Activation Report and Urban Design framework
  • Created and distributed a creative brief for the branding of Edwardstown
  • Conducted a place audit with identification of 'gaps'
  • Identified a creative co-working business plan
  • Developed a creative brief for a historical art trail using stobie poles and mural
  • Had university students research linkages between Edwardstown and Tonsley
  • Successfully received a grant towards Greening of Edwardstown part two
  • Delivered Greening of Edwardstown part one with 150 advanced trees, 75 tree inlets, 50 tree guards and 8 educational totems going in just after Christmas.

To find out next steps visit Making Marion.
Digital Skills for Business
Digital Business Survey
2020 has resulted in a rapid shift towards digital workplaces. We want to ensure that the City of Marion business community have the skills to successfully engage in today's digital economy.

We invite you to complete our digital business survey. The survey will assist us to develop a program of workshops and services that will assist you.

Your responses will help us to create content that is relevant and provides value. This survey will take no longer than five minutes to complete and you will remain anonymous. Summaries of data can be provided on request. 
Events and Programs
Book Launch: Online Marketing for Baby Boomers
Online Marketing for Baby Boomers, and anyone else who doesn't speak geek.

Meet the author, Fiona Blinco, of Online Marketing for Baby Boomers at her upcoming book launch.

Discover what's inside the book, hear the backstories from some of the case studies and find out how Fiona's own business, DIY Digital, and its clients, helped bring this book to life.

Wednesday 16 December 11:00 am - 12:00 pm ACDT at the Cove Civic Centre
Wellbeing Series: Mindset and Skills for Peak Performance
This was a year no one was expecting; a year where we have been forced to adapt to a new way of life. Overwhelming anxiety, depression, confusion, and uncertainty has taken a great toll on our global workforce.

Joined by author and mentor, Alessandra Edwards, we’ll cover ways to adopt a growth mindset and a healthy balance to create stability during uncertain times including:
  • How to respond to change and uncertainty
  • Ways of eliminating stress and anxiety
  • Developing the mindset and skills for peak performance

Wednesday 16 December 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm AEST
Digital Expo coming in March 2021
The Hallett Cove Business Association held their 'Local is the New Back' Twilight Markets at the Cove Civic Centre in November attracting over 20 stall holders and 350 attendees.

Their next big event is a Digital Expo in March 2021. Interested in being involved? The Hallett Cove Business Association are calling all things and all people in the digital space to assist them in creating a jam packed program.
Introduction to Le Crema and Import/Export Breakfast Workshop
La Crema Coffee Roasters is a family owned South Australian business. La Crema is a brand new cafe in St Marys, the owner will talk to us about their business history/direction” and also importing experience. We also welcome Patritti Wines to the breakfast who will talk us through their export side of the business and their growth in this sector. 
Enjoy hearing their story while eating a full cooked breakfast!
  • Why Export and is it right for my company?
  • How do I become “export ready?”
  • Common traps to look out for.
  • What support is available (including funding support)?
  • What do “Free Trade Agreements” really mean?

Thursday 28 January 7:30 am at the Le Crema Coffee Cafe, 14 Denis Street St Marys
Human Resources - Building your Workforce Program
Research shows that businesses who apply a basic understanding of employment legislation have a workforce that is engaged and productive.
With the Federal Government recently announcing some pending changes to the industrial relations legislation, we are offering the Human Resources – Building your Workforce Program in early 2021. Aimed to unpack your employment legislation obligations in a practical and easy to understand format, the program will be delivered in a series of modules that you can apply immediately back into your workplace.

Whether you are a sole trader who is ready to engage your first staff member, or a business who already engages staff, these practical workshops are aimed at building your workplace relations knowledge. Each module comes with a workbook that enables you to apply the information in “real-time” to your business.

To maximise the benefits of the workshop, each module will be limited to no more than 15 participants.
Southern Business Mentoring Program
Have you made the most of 2020?
2021 is closer than ever however, in the final weeks of 2020 there are a few things you can do to close out the year strongly.

  1. Take some time to review all the things you have achieved.
  2. Review the goals you set yourself earlier in the year that you have not achieved and create a new plan on how you can be successful this time round.
  3. Book an appointment with a business advisor who can review your plan and help you to ensure that you can successfully execute.
Lastly if you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed you are able to access appointments with Mental Health and Wellbeing advisors that can help you to get yourself back on track - Book now
Business Support Services and News
Manufacturing Modernisation Fund
Following the success of the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund, a second round of the program will soon open for applications as one of the key initiatives of the Australian Government’s $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy.

The Manufacturing Modernisation Fund is helping to modernise our manufacturing sector by stimulating business investment in new technologies and processes through co-funding capital investments.

Round 2 guidelines and key program information including a sample application form, have been made available for download at business.gov.au.
SME Business Advisory Services
The SME Business Advisory Services Program helps eligible small and medium sized businesses access professional services to grow and transform their business.

Open to any business type or industry sector, applicants are eligible to apply for a maximum of $10,000 (excluding GST) to get access to professional business advice in key areas. If approved, this funding can help support business growth and transformation, and contribute to future business viability.
Premier's Climate Change Council 2020 SA Climate Leaders Awards
The Premier's Climate Change Council invites entries for the 2020 SA Climate Leaders Awards.

The Council wants to showcase the innovative work taking place to address climate change and build South Australia’s reputation as a climate smart state. Applicants are encouraged to share projects and activities of all sizes. For more information, see the 2020 SA Climate Leaders Awards Guidelines.

Entries close 5 pm (ACDT) Friday 18 December 2020.
City of Marion Library News
Contact Us
Manager City Activation
T: 08 7420 6525
UM Economic & Cultural Development
T: 08 8375 6897
Economic Development Coordinator
T: 08 8375 6765
Project
Coordinator - Edwardstown
Economic Development   
Support Officer