Growth programs
The Gold Coast business sector is growing and the City is supporting that trend through strategic development initiatives that can deliver real business growth.
Each year, the City of Gold Coast tailors a range of business growth programs that respond to changing business needs.
These programs are designed to equip Gold Coast businesses to achieve the next phase of business growth, and in turn, strengthen the city's economic sectors.
The Gold Coast is way ahead
‘Buy local’ Procurement Policy
‘Buy local’ preferential factors
The ‘buy local’ objective is to proactively support local business and industry to create jobs on the Gold Coast. In recognition of the economic, innovative and social benefits that local supply brings, the City ensures that local procurement and contracting recognises and factors local supply as the most advantageous offer through application of the competitive local business and industry preferential factors; weightings and pricing advantage.1
For further information on the details and policy considerations please refer to the Procurement Policy and Contract Manual.
Supplying to the City of Gold Coast?
Where the City of Gold Coast invites suppliers to quote (contracts worth $200,000) are encouraged to:
- register on LG Tender Box to be notified of upcoming tenders and visit our tenders page
- subscribe to our RSS feed for the latest information on published tenders
- review the City’s annual City Contracting Plan for a list of planned procurement activities for the current financial year.
Queensland Government support
Ignite Ideas Fund
Ignite Ideas fund is a program under the Advance QLD initiative that supports the development of new or improved products, processes or services to secure investment, launch into global markets and grow business.
Business Development Fund
The Business Development Fund is a program under the Advance QLD providing investment between $125,000 and $2.5 million to eligible Queensland businesses.
Accelerate Small Business Grants
This grant provides targeted assistance to small businesses that demonstrate high-growth and employment aspirations to enable them to engage high-level expertise for their business. It will provide funding of up to $10 000 for eligible businesses. The funding must be matched by the participating business.
Small Business Digital Grants
This grant will help small business work smarter and be more innovative. The program will provide grants of up to $10 000, matched by participants, to embrace digital technologies and opportunities arising from digital disruption.
Australian Government support
Entrepreneurs’ Programme
The Entrepreneurs’ Programme is the Australian Government’s flagship initiative for business competitiveness and productivity at the firm level. With a national network of more than 100 experienced private sector advisers and facilitators, the Entrepreneurs’ Programme offers support to businesses through four elements:
- accelerating commercialisation
- business management
- incubator support
- innovation connections
R&D Tax Incentive
The R&D Tax Incentive is broadbased, market-driven assistance for all industries. It provides a targeted tax offset to encourage more companies to engage in R&D and innovate.
The Incentive is a self-assessment programme. AusIndustry (on behalf of Innovation Australia) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) manage the R&D Tax Incentive.
Supply chain Facilitation
Supply Chain Facilitation offers business practical ways to:
- connect with, and supply existing and new markets
- provide you with project opportunities.
At no cost to businesses can access a skilled Business Adviser or Business Facilitator that will work closely with suppliers and customers to:
strengthen supply chain
improve the businesses ability to access new markets.