$4m hubboost for business

Burgeoning business start-ups will get a helping hand during their critical early years with the addition of a business incubator for the town, which has started to take shape.

The $4 million East Pilbara Innovation Centre will be funded by the Pilbara Development Commission and BHP Billiton.

The final design of the building will be submitted to project managers for contractual agreement after this week’s PHCCI committee meeting.

PHCCI president Jim Henne-berry said the centre would give small business owners access to financial support services and discounted office and conference room facilities.

“We’re hoping it will produce premises where small businesses and new start-ups will have an opportunity to blossom and grow by supporting other businesses there,” he said. “It’s a business incubator for people to come along to be mentored to the next level and ... it will be an area in which community and businesses will have an opportunity to facilitate meetings and encourage community activities around town.”

Designs for the building have been undertaken in collaboration with the business community while broader engagement and marketing of the project to the community is expected to start shortly.

Located on Edgar Street in the West End, the chamber received expressions of interest from the University of WA and Aboriginal corporations to run services and have a presence in the centre when initial planning started.

The project is on track to open in the second quarter of 2018 and the chamber welcomes anyone interested in using the space or seeking more information to register their interest at info@phcci.com.au.