The Economic Development Unit became operational in April 2007. Its objective is to facilitate sustainable economic growth within Byron Shire.
The Unit offers assistance to new and existing businesses in a variety of areas, including:
The range of services available from the Economic Development Unit will expand over time.
The Unit is initially working to a brief agreed by Council. The brief, which benefited from community consultation, identifies the objectives, core principles as well as the scope and the anticipated priorities of the Unit.
A strategic Economic Development Plan will emerge from structured analysis of the regional and shire economies. Consultation with representatives of regional organisations, business, industry and community groups as well as individual companies is in train. Focus will be brought to a range of industry sectors predominant in the Shire notably tourism, agriculture and related value-adding, the creative industries, retail and knowledge-based industries. Consideration will be given to enhancing enablers of economic activity notably appropriately skilled labour, industrial lands, finance, transportation and communications.