Glen Innes Severn Council has developed and continues to support our local business community. Make sure you get connected on Highlands HUB
Where we connect, create, innovate & grow.
Highlands HUB is both an online community and co-working facility, where business and community can come together with a common purpose of creating a thriving local economy and socially prosperous community.
The HUB has a community co-working lounge (including hot desks and a quiet zone), private offices, meeting rooms, a boardroom, and a training room. The space can cater for workshops, training sessions and large meetings, with access to video conferencing options, an 85" screen, HDMI, wired/wireless internet, a whiteboard, community lounge access, kitchenette facilities, and catering options.
The HUB will also offer subsidised programs, training and workshops, in its first year of operation. To enquire about booking or programs, email [email protected].
A Supportive Local Council
The Glen Innes Severn Council’s slogan is ‘Embracing Change, Building on History’ and continues its mission to be a ‘can-do’ Council.
In supporting start-up and new ideas Council has a Local Economic Development Support Fund which is available to new businesses wishing to establish in Glen Innes Highlands.
Council also has a procurement policy that favours local businesses and helps with grant applications. Business owners can also use Council resources to promote job opportunities.
Alongside its associations and business community, Council encourages and supports businesses relocating or starting up in the Glen Innes Highlands that contribute to employment opportunities and a vibrant economy.
Glen Innes Highlands distributes a monthly Grants & Funding Opportunities newsletter.
Grants & Funding Opportunities
Grant funds for regional or community development are usually provided by federal, state or local government; although there are an increasing number made available through philanthropic organisations.
In the case of government grants, all funding must come from a particular program, with specific terms and conditions to ensure accountability for government. Most grant funding in Australia is competitive and each project will be assessed against many other applications. Many funding programs are often oversubscribed, so applications need to be of very high quality and evidence-based to have the best chance of success.
Some funding providers offer their grants in rounds. Most grants also have defined lifecycles. It is important to find a grant that suits your organisational context and the objectives of your project.
Regional Development Australia (Northern Inland) has up-to-date lists of potential funding.
Annual Local Economic Development Support Fund
The Policy may be used to provide financial assistance to:
(a) A business entity – proven by an Australian Business Number (ABN) and/or Australian Company Name (ACN) proposing to establish or expand an industry, service or business in the LGA; and
(b) Local Volunteer Community Groups and/or Committees, Not-for-Profits, 355 Committees, Local Consortiums and Local Event Organisers proposing to incubate, activate or grow local initiatives, programs or events.
New Businesses in the Highlands
A sign of a progressive and prospering community is of course new businesses starting up, expanding regionally or the purchasing of existing businesses.
Just in the last two years we welcomed the following businesses:
Twin Pines & I (2022);
The Organic TShirt (2022);
Cocoaberry & Co - Family-run coffee & cake house (2021);
Gig Guitars - Musical Instrument Store (2021);
Fujisawa 森 Zen Garden (2021);
The Sugar Shop (2021);
Sweetie Pie's Bake Shop (2021);
Velquip - Stihl Dealer, Equipment & Event Hire & Commercial Cleaning (2021);
Sew Many Fabrics - Fabric, Crafts & Workshops (2021);
What's For Dinner? Meal Service (2021);
Carolyn's Closette - Pre Loved & New Clothing (2020);
Endeavour Glen Innes - Petroleum Service (2020);
The Furry Cow - Gelato & Fudge (2020);
The Local Glen Innes - Cafe (2020);
Markets in the Highlands - Monthly Market Co-op (2020);
Insignia Company - Marketing and Promotional Merchandise (2020);
Moveology New England - Exercise Studio Clinic (2020);
Raine and Horne - Real Estate (2020).
GROW Glen Innes THINK TANK
Register to Participate
Registration means that Manager Economic Development, Margot Davis, will be able to contact you and invite you to participate in a range of GGITT workshops on a variety of topics.
Cocoaberry & Co
Cocoaberry & Co is a family-run cake and coffee house with a focus on really good treats and great coffee. They also have a community book exchange and sell clothing, accessories and gifts.
Amanda Woods
Amanda grew up in Glen Innes Highlands, then went off to university to study journalism, got a job on the biggest radio show in the country, moved to London and worked at the BBC, and spent as much time as possible travelling through Europe and beyond. She's since returned home to Glen Innes Highlands, where she continues to work as a published travel writer.
Design Reaction
Design Reaction was founded by Samantha Black in 2006. The business focusses on graphic design with a specialty in logo and branding to tell a company’s story through design. Samantha has creative flair combined with sharp marketing savvy and the passion to reveal brand messaging in an authentic way.
Sweetie Pie's Bake Shop
A tree-change story of two ladies who took over an old corner store and revived it into a delicious new business. At 'Slade’s old Store', located at 40 Edward Street, Glen Innes, everything is baked fresh daily with local meats that are slow-cooked during trading hours. You can watch the fresh pastry being made into pies, quiches, pastries, as well as cakes and sweets made with love from scratch & often using produce from their own vegetable patch.
Twelve Points Photography
Jim Barker is another tree-changer who made the move to Glen Innes Highlands. After spending too many years chasing photographs as a hobby, he decided he simply had to turn it into his business. Having experience across many styles of photography shooting weddings, portraits, food & drink, commercial, architecture and more, coupled with his background in marketing and communications, Jim knows how to create and nail a brief for your specific needs.
Weir Built
If you need to lift it up, pull it down, move it, place it, replace it or build it, Weir Built have you covered. They can get cranes into places you can’t imagine!
Weir Built has pretty much everything you need to restore, replace or build a bridge, with expertise in removing timber pylons and replacing with concrete. They have the moulds ready to go, as well as the know-how to replace existing decks with strong, light laminates.
Sparks and Smoke
A fantastic story and a real example of how the zero-emissions economy can and will create opportunities for our community. The business run by an 18yo recently won the contract to upgrade all of the schools in our region to modern LED lighting. The impact that will have on the emissions footprint in our region is significant. The business has partnered with other electricians to fulfill the contract and keep jobs local.
New England Waste
A Glen Innes business on the rise and expanding throughout the region, New England Waste recently won the waste management contract for the Uralla Solar Farm. As a result of this growth, Malcolm, the business owner, is employing more staff, including a young family that moved from the Hunter Valley to Glen Innes upon accepting a job offer with the business.
GIG Guitars
GIG guitars at 171 Grey Street, Glen Innes, was opened by local musicians to service a wide range of string instruments. Whether you are just starting out on your musical journey or after a unique instrument to add to your sound or collection, GIG Guitars can help! For the love of music, make sure you visit and find something that excites you!
Rangers Valley
Glen Innes Highlands based Rangers Valley is one of the most respected producers of premium marbled Black Angus and Wagyu beef for the domestic and export markets. Leaders in state-of-the-art feedlot operations, and wholeheartedly committed to caring for their cattle, Rangers Valley is investing in the future of our planet.
The Repair Room
Located at 112 Bradleys Lane, Glen Innes, The Repair Room offers qualified services in massage, cupping and reflexology, with a focus on deep tissue and trigger point to help you repair your body and give it a fresh new feel.
The Makers Shed - Richard Moon Wearable Silver
In his Deepwater studio, Silversmith Richard Moon specialises in upcycling old silver, copper, gemstones and even vintage linoleum into jewellery. He transforms glass bottle stoppers, sink plugs, Cuisenaire rods, game tokens, cutlery and other materials into wearable art. He also conducts workshops in The Makers Shed located at 123 Grey Street, Glen Innes.
Photo Create
Photo Create is a wholesale company that services the global retail photo processing markets. Based in Glen Innes Highlands, and with production facilities in Australia and USA, the company has utilised custom-built software and back-end production management systems to maximise efficiency, both in the retail environment and at the production facility.
Gawura Gallery
Home of internationally acclaimed Aboriginal artist Lloyd Gawura Hornsby, Gawura Gallery in Glen Innes has a reputation for its collaborative projects, school and community workshops and master classes. The gallery features contemporary artworks from local, interstate and international artists; a café serving coffee, and light refreshments.
Glen Innes Highlands Tours
Experience Glen Innes Highlands on half and full day tours as well as special tours over multiple days and to coincide with local events. All tours are accompanied by a local, experienced guide. Morning and afternoon tea and lunch can be added to all tours. Special, hidden gems are on offer for lunch and dinner options. These are available to groups organised by Glen Innes Highlands Tours.
Star Logixs
StarLogixs Electronics has been providing high quality engineered products for over 15 years. From initial concept to design, their engineering team can provide the complete manufacturing process. They design and manufacture products to increase safety and provide automation across multiple industries.
Glen Gowrie Distillery
A boutique spirit manufacturer, distilling a range of vodkas, gins and liqueurs from grains and fruits fermented on site. Owned and operated by plant pathologist and microbiologist David Scott and Susie Snodgrass, their products are sold in Sydney restaurants, regional markets, events, online and directly from the cellar door.
Autobaler
Autobaler are cardboard waste baler management specialists. This Deepwater-based business developed a unique open-top loading system and combined this with the solid state electronic intelligent control system. The result is that Autobalers function with a much lower labour input requirement.
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