Logan City Council wants to attract new investment, but has promised support to help local businesses evolve.
There would be further development of local day and night economies to nurture hospitality, creative and entertainment options – and drive tourism to the city. There would also be a focus on emerging industries, job quality, training and career pathways.
And council would look to leverage the city’s location to attract national and international business players.
It’s all part of council’s new five-year Economic Development Strategy endorsed last week, with a catchphrase: “Logan’s economy is everyone’s business, with council leading the way’.
Development of the strategy included an independent economic analysis report and eight economic opportunity roundtable events with stakeholders and local business owners.
A prevailing theme across all consultation activities, according to a council spokesperson, was the high level of business and community confidence in the City of Logan’s economic future, despite the setbacks of the last year due to pandemic lockdown and restrictions.
There was also a strong desire among local businesses to support City of Logan residents through education, training, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Mayor Darren Power said council would strongly promote a ‘Buy Logan’ procurement policy, which has a target of channelling 45% of council’s annual products and services spend towards local providers.
“Every business in Logan matters and Council will continue to work with them all to help consolidate their existing core operations while also building for future growth, resilience and success,” Cr Power said.
Deputy mayor Jon Raven said: “The City of Logan is already a destination of choice for national and international businesses looking to expand or relocate.”
The strategy also includes programs to boost employment and education opportunities for local youth.
These include:
• Collaborating with schools and education providers
• Expanding the popular Catapult youth entrepreneurial and enterprise skills program
• Developing programs that help align businesses and skills with local jobseekers
“Young people make up 30% of our population but are 100% of our future,” Cr Raven said.
“We want Logan’s youth to actively participate in the growth of our city – economically, socially and culturally.”
