Shire Supporting Local Businesses
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Published: Wednesday, 21 August 2019 at 7:08:39 PM
As per the Shire of Coolgardie’s Community Strategic Plan – an identified aspiration is for a “Thriving Local Economy” to be achieved by building economic capacity by “supporting local businesses in the Shire.”
With the recent employment of Mia Hicks as the Shire’s new Executive Manager of Economic Development and Projects, there is now capacity on the team to drive more economic development activities for the benefit of the Shire and its businesses. Mia has a driven passion for the Shire and its up and coming projects.
Previously Mia owned MH Consulting which assisted community groups, state government departments and local governments with business and strategic planning; business case development, community consultation and project planning.
In its five years of operation, the company achieved well over $60M in funding and contracts for clients. Highlighted projects include the Coolgardie Post Office Complex, Kambalda Aquatic Facility, Lucky Bay Campground, Ray Finlayson Sporting Complex, Williams Bay Campground, and the City of Kalgoorlie’s Central Hannans Redevelopment.
Originally from Canada, Mia fell in love with the Goldfields on her first trip back in 2005 and convinced her Kalgoorlie born and bred husband to relocate back home from Brisbane to Kalgoorlie.
With two children in tow, she has since built a significant network of community and professional organisations - holding board positions on the Goldfields Women’s Health Care Association, the KCGM Community Reference Group, the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Goldfields Esperance Community Trust.
On July 24, 2019, the Shire introduced a new business support initiative with Mia and Sharni Foulkes, Business Local, visiting businesses in Coolgardie and Kambalda to find out what local businesses need assistance with. These meetings led to an uptake of six follow-up appointments for assistance – primarily around digital marketing. Stay tuned for a “Business over Coffee” event that will bring businesses together to talk about all things business in both Coolgardie and Kambalda. A number of other new business events and one on one meetings will also be held in the coming months.
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