Skip to main content

Council

Polaris Centre 1

Polaris secures funding for Small Business Fundamentals Program

The Minister for Small and Family Business, the Hon. Andrea Michaels MP, launched South Australia’s Small Business Strategy 2023-2030 this month, which is designed to support small businesses to adapt, grow and succeed, through initiatives like the Small Business Fundamentals Program.

It is with great pride that the City of Salisbury can announce that the Polaris Business Development Centre have been successful with their application for funding, in the amount of $250,0000 over the next two years through the Small Business Fundamentals Program.

“I’m so incredibly happy that the Polaris Business Development Centre were successful in receiving this grant. They do such wonderful work, helping our local small businesses to thrive and reach their full potential. Small Business is the backbone of our economy and I am excited to see what can be achieved for our community with the extra funding,”

Mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM

During our engagement process last year, the small business community told us their biggest challenges are a lack of time and resources to focus on strategy or growth as well as cashflow and lack of access to capital, attracting and retaining staff, digital literacy and other foundational skills.

The Small Business Fundamentals Program responds directly to these challenges, providing the tools and tailored support for small and family businesses to build their business know-how and capability in areas critical to long-term sustainability and growth.

Our delivery partners have been selected to ensure a balance of support for small businesses, across industry sectors and throughout metropolitan and regional South Australia.

The Hon. Andrea Michaels MP

Polaris Business Development Centre is the hub for business and entrepreneurship in Northern Adelaide, is supported with core funding from the City of Salisbury, and has provided support to thousands of businesses in our community since its formation in 2001.

With the two-year funding, the Polaris Centre will be able to deliver some fantastic results within the northern suburbs small business sphere, and continue their excellent work in business development support by delivering the following services:

  • Four or more FREE business networking and special events
  • 400 or more FREE one to one business consultations
  • 12 or more FREE Business Fundamentals workshops
  • 20 Ignite Your Business programs at 50% discounted rate
  • 20 Mentoring for Success programs at 50% discounted rate
  • 10 Advanced Management Mentoring programs at 50% discounted rate

The funding means that Polaris can expand and enhance their great work in helping our business community thrive, and continue making City of Salisbury a great place to live and work.


The Small Business Fundamentals Program is an initiative of the Government of South Australia’s Office for Small and Family Business, delivered through the South Australian Small Business Strategy 2023 – 2030.

ENDS

Enquiries to:

Christie Thompson, Media and Public Relations Advisor, City of Salisbury

cthompson@salisbury.sa.gov.au 0481 460 729