Industry leaders are building their nests in Logan.
And more are flying in – the latest being a popular restaurant chain that relocated its headquarters to the city.
Business and community leaders say the trend is positive for local residents, creating jobs, boosting the economy, and building a face for Logan.
The city is already the home-base of major logistics firms like DHL Supply Chain, aerospace tech companies like Black Sky Industries and Advanced Air Mobility, training firms like Go1, clothing superstars like LSKD, and cutting-edge innovators like BlockTexx and Pan Pacific Recycling.
Four big businesses have moved to the area in the last six months alone.
And with them, hundreds of jobs.
In September last year, Toyota began construction on a major parts warehouse at Crestmead.
In December, one of the country’s leading fashion brands Culture Kings opened its global distribution centre at Park Ridge.
Just days later, the ASX-listed Critical Mining Group announced it would build the first facility in south-east Queensland that produces vanadium electrolyte, a liquid used in rechargeable batteries to store energy.
Now, Little Red Dumpling has moved its cooking and distribution centre – which will source all 24 of the chain’s stores – into the city.
Logan is the “place to be”, according to Graeme Caplen, the chief executive at Underwood Innovation Lab – the only independent, government backed innovation lab in Australia.
“It’s not cheap and it’s not expensive, and you have good access to the city,” Mr Caplen said.
“More people are moving into Logan than ever before.
“It is changing fast and you have to work hard, but we’ve got city’s to the north and south that are doing really well as well, and we’re right inbetween.
“So you’ve got talent, you’ve got space, and you’ve got a council willing to work with you – why wouldn’t [businesses] want to come here.”
Mr Caplen said the influx of industry and business meant more jobs for locals.
“When you have innovative companies coming in that are pushing the boundaries… there are more jobs, different variations, longer-term jobs, and higher paying jobs.”
The president of the Beenleigh Yatala Chamber of Commerce, Aki Sihto, said that like most of Australia, business in Logan was mostly small-medium enterprises.
“Every area, if possible, needs a mix of business,” Mr Sihto said.
“Large enterprises bring with them a bunch of benefits in terms of maturity, the potential for training, and they provide a customer base for a whole bunch of local small and medium businesses to be able to service them.
“It builds the resilience, the robustness of the local economic ecosystem.”
He said Logan already had a significant industry base.
“It is very well located for manufacturing and distribution across the northern part of the eastern seaboard,” he said.
“We have major freight routes running through here, and we will have access to more.
“Once you get a few of the larger names, then a whole bunch of ancillary services and other competitors will also set up shop there.”
Logan’s mayor, Jon Raven, agreed the city was the perfect location for businesses.
“Many businesses and investors have realised that Logan is an incredible opportunity,” he said.
“With record growth, a new planning scheme around the corner, the Olympics on the way and a young community that is willing to accept change – this is a unique chance to help shape a city.
“Best of all, many businesses realise that Logan locals make great employees and often end up recruiting locally or find that their workforce is already based here – which reduces staff commute times.”
According to the mayor, Logan’s economic development team is the best in the region, eliminating red tape for businesses and making the city easy to invest in.
“They are an integral part of why smart businesses love moving to Logan,” he said.
“Along with our Councillors, I am focused on a long-term vision. We’re working closely with the community on the future of our city, not just for the next four years, but for the next 50.Â
“That means encouraging innovation and industries that help us deliver high value local jobs.”Â
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