Twice as nice on anniversary of BMA Local Buying Program
01 agosto 2014
Celebrating its second anniversary since launching, the BMA Local Buying Program continues to go from strength to strength, this year successfully tripling the number of work opportunities made available to local businesses.
Established in 2012, the BMA Local Buying Program is a collaborative partnership between BMA and the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Regional Economic Development Corporation (REDC), and is the first of its kind in the region. BHP Billiton Mitsui Coal joined the Program in 2013.
A total of 368 local businesses across Blackwater, Dysart, Emerald, Nebo, Moranbah and Capella communities have now benefitted from the Program, which is administered by a cost neutral entity set up to specifically deliver it, C-Res (Community Resourcing).
In only its second year, the Program has seen the total amount of work packages awarded to local small businesses grow from 650 to over 2,400, as well as an increase to funding for the Local Buying Community Foundation to a total of over $400,000.
But BMA Head of External Affairs, Vincent Cosgrove, said that while the numbers spoke for themselves, it was the feedback from local businesses that really mattered to BMA.
“We are aware that it continues to be a tough environment for many businesses in the region so the opportunity to work with them is something that BMA really values,” he said.
“We’ve had good feedback both from businesses who have done work for BMA directly, as well as those who have attended programs run by the foundation, which are outcomes we continue to strive for,” he said.
Infusion Cleaning is just one of the many businesses that have benefited from the program, after the family-run business was approached by BMA to quote on a cleaning job in Moranbah.
Since then, their business has grown to take on a full-time Supervisor and eight casual staff.
“We were initially hesitant to work for the mining industry because of rigorous processes and costs which can be required for inductions and compliance,” Casey said.
“However the support provided by the BMA Local Buying Program has been a great benefit for our business,” she said.
The Program has also received positive feedback from businesses that have not done any work for BMA, but attended several workshops subsidised through the Local Buying Community Foundation.
The Foundation is funded through the BMA Local Buying Program, with a percentage contribution from BMA for every transaction. The money is then used to deliver business development programs and increase regional capability.
To date, business-building workshops and networking events have been held in Moranbah, Emerald, Dysart and Blackwater. The events provide practical information and tools to assist local business build capacity and respond to a more challenging business environment.
GT HOSES, a Central Highlands based hydraulic hose and fitting business, is one of the many businesses that has grabbed the opportunities offered by the Local Buying Community Foundation workshops.
Rach McDowall, Managing Director of GT HOSES, said that as a start-up company, the workshops had assisted them to build the foundations required to grow the business and had helped them through the current downturn.
“The skills we have learnt will put us in a better position to provide more local businesses, including BMA, with the products and services they require.
“The workshops have been of great assistance to our business, particularly in helping us prepare for the launch of our online shop in September,” she said.
Overall, the BMA Local Buying Program has awarded more than $34 million to small businesses within the local communities of BMA’s operations, which is in addition to the money BMA spends locally each year as part of day-to-day business in the region.
