Local businesses in the Cootamundra-Gundagai region are set to benefit from the latest round of funding from the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) Inland Rail Community Sponsorships and Donations program.
On behalf of The Coota District Co-Op, Business Cootamundra was one of 24 recipients awarded funding in round 16.
The funds will go towards retail, customer service and point of sale training for co-op members.
An alliance partner of Business NSW, Business Cootamundra is a not-for-profit corporation that assists local businesses, organisations, community groups and individuals by providing business advice, promotion, support, information, and resources.
Deputy Mayor for Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, Director of Business Cootamundra and Chair of The Coota District Co-Op, Cr Leigh Bowden, said, “2023 is an exciting time for business in Cootamundra. We live in a vibrant regional community with many businesses delivering to the local economy.
“We’d like to thank ARTC Inland Rail for their support of Business Cootamundra and The Coota District Co-Op. The funds will go towards training co-op members to have the skills to be employed in any business in our town.”
Inland Rail Director of Health, Safety and Environment, Stephen Jones, said, “We are proud to give back to the communities that are home to Inland Rail. The work these organisations do is instrumental to the wellbeing of regional communities.
“I encourage other non-profit groups to lodge their applications for the next round of funding.”
The Inland Rail Community Sponsorships and Donations program offers funding between $1,000 – $4,000 for organisations in eligible regional areas. The funding supports organisations that contribute to local and regional prosperity, wellbeing, and sustainability.
The latest round of funding takes overall support for local communities and associations along the Inland Rail alignment to nearly $1.1 million since the program launched in 2019.
Applications for the next round of funding close on 30 April 2023.