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The Economic Development Unit (EDU) can offer a variety of support to businesses.

One on one business advice and referral

Whether you are starting a new business or wanting to grow one, EDU staff will point you in the right direction. We make it our business to know what funding programmes, consultants and mentors are available. And because we work closely with businesses and industries, we can link you with the contact or client that's right for you.

We have some financial support available to businesses. Examples include:

• A rates discount (rates relief) for significant investment in new machinery or buildings
• A subsidy for businesses launching new products or into new markets
• Help to recruit skilled staff

Conditions do apply so please contact us to see if your business is eligible.

We also work closely alongside other local and national organisations such as the Otago Chamber of Commerce, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Department of Labour, Upstart Business Incubator.

Industry development

Being in business can be a lonely experience but we have a range of industry 'clusters' that can help. A cluster is where business people in an industry work together to overcome common problems or to grasp opportunities that they couldn't manage on their own.

We offer support, and where businesses collaborate, project funding can help pay some of the costs.

Below is information or links to industry clusters that EDU is working with:

• Agriculture
• Biotechnology
• International Education (new window)
  
• Engineering (new window)
  
• ICT
• Fashion (new window)
  
• Film (new window)
• Forest Products (new window)
• Research
• Tourism is supported by the DCC through funding provided to Tourism Dunedin (new window).
  

As well as industry based clusters, we work with other groups such as:

Maori Business owners

Te Kupeka Umaka Maori Ki Araiteuru Inc. (KUMA) is a group of Maori business owners. A report profiling this group is available.

Maori Business Networks in Dunedin Project Report June 2007 (new window)

• Contact Graham Strong on 474 3507.
  

Student entrepreneurs

Audacious offers one-on-one business advice to tertiary students wanting to start a business. It also runs a business idea and business plan competition for tertiary students.

Visit Audacious to find out more (a new window).

• Contact Ryan Priemus on 0800 542578.
  

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Migrants

Settlement Support provides advice and contacts so when migrants move to Dunedin, they can settle faster, thereby contributing to our economy and community.

Link to our information for newcomers

Information Sheets on NZ Immigration website (link to an external site, open in new window)

• Contact Fi McKay on 474 3332.

Business advocacy

If you are dealing with other DCC departments (such as resource consents or environmental health issues or permission to film) we can act as your advocate. We can't break the rules but sometimes we can smooth the water.