Façade Grants: guidelines! 

Guidelines are online for the 2024-25 Facade Improvement Grants which opens on 28 January next year! 
Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint, new signage, lighting to support night-time trading, servery windows or bi-fold doors or another idea to help spruce up a shopfront façade, these grants can help bring your vision to fruition. The grants are designed to  attract customers to your commercial premise and improve the overall "look and feel" of an area. Open to all businesses with a shopfront in the Frankston City municipality, including those outside the city centre in shopping strips or industrial estates. A total pool of $100,000 is available and applicants can apply for between $5,000 to $15,000. Council recommends reading the guidelines before applying. There's also an instructional video available on how to apply via the SmartyGrants Portal and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to provide you with a smooth application process. Check it out today! 

Business Grants Update 

We are excited to announce the successful recipients of the 2024 - 25 Frankston City Business Grants!
This round there were 75 applicants for Stage 1, then 45 for stage 2 and, after a comprehensive panel assessment, we now have 17 successful businesses sharing in the $150,000 to help their business and the local economy grow! Among the recipients is a new craft distillery focusing on quality liqueur coming to Carrum Downs, a new modern-Asian favourite expanding to Frankston plus funding toward projects including archery technology for clients with physical impairments, a 3D foot scanner, signage for a plumber, a co-working space and even more exciting and innovative initiatives thanks to the grants program which is designed to give businesses the boost they need to blossom further. Read more below... 
Pic: Stache House Victorian Sales Rep Blake and owner Mark Rigby. 

Shop local this Christmas

Support your fellow local Frankston City businesses this Christmas! Once you've got your own business listed on the FREE Frankston City Business Directory, use it yourself to buy, use or book local! The platform now has more than170 local Frankston City businesses listed, allowing them to list and promote their businesses for FREE! It is a government site which means it has top Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and always ranks high on Google searches! Whether you are looking to book a local business, trade or service or you are a business keen to promote yourself, this directory is what you need! Designed to help support, connect and promote local businesses within the Frankston City municipality. This month we are boosting promotions of the directory to consumers so get on it quick! This Christmas, do your bit to shop and support local. 
Pic: Aquatic Technologies

Multi-level car park almost ready! 

Construction of the 500 new car spaces at Frankston Station is almost complete, with the new multi-deck car park opening in the coming weeks!  The six level structure will also include two lifts, stairs, new lighting and CCTV, and 10 new accessible car spaces on the ground level. The project, being delivered by the Victorian Government 's Level Crossing Removal Authority, also recently relocated and upgraded eight existing accessible car spaces inside the station car park. Works have also started, to install two new Parkiteers and additional bike hoops on Young Street and will continue into early 2025. Watch this space! 

Start-Up Sesh 

In collaboration with Mornington Peninsula Shire, the Economic Development Team held its very first Start-Up Sesh – designed to help entrepreneurs take the next step in their Start-Up journey. About 30 entrepreneurs, including some already successful local business owners who are excelling in the Start-Up ecosystem, attended the session which was held at The Cheeky Squire in Frankston. Thank you to our speakers Andrew Van De Beek from Illumin8 and Peninsula Plumbing Clearance Centre, Sam Grigg from Burst Branding Agency, Eleanor Bignall from OK200 and Veronica Munro. All shared their experiences and valuable tips for preparation, success and sustainability in the Start-Up space. The team are looking forward to collaborating with officers from the Mornington Peninsula Shire Economic Development Team in the future. 

B2B Grants are back!!! 

Our popular $1000 grants are back! The B2B (Business to Business) Grants (previously known as Think Local Grants) offers 100 x $1000 grants on a reimbursement model for local Frankston City registered businesses to purchase products or services from another Frankston City business to help their business grow. The grants encourage increased local B2B engagement and awareness to help strengthen the local economy now and into the future. Products/services can include web design, marketing / advertising /  promotions, trades and services, visual merchandising, office equipment, façade improvements or branding. Eligible Frankston City businesses can apply for one (1) fixed $1,000 grant each (inclusive of GST).  Applications open Monday 3 February 2025 and the program will close by 5:00pm Friday 21 February 2025 or earlier if funds are exhausted prior to this date. Save the date, get your quotes ready and get in quick as this one is a popular one! 

Frankston's Christmas Festival another success! 

Despite the on and off drizzle, Frankston's Christmas Festival 2024, held on 30 November on Davey, Playne and Young streets as well as Beauty Park and surrounds was another big success with 35,000 people flocking to be a part of it! This year the carnival returned but was strategically moved to the Young Street Car Park (to also be able to run for a extra week) and other new features included Locals Lane showcasing some fantastic local businesses, the Always Live - End of the Line Concert and a European  Christmas Village. Santa kicked of the event with some hilariously energetic elves and the Itchy Feet Pep Band, plus Little Beauty Market was in full sing and a massive amount of family entertainment and activities were held throughout the event at the Library and the Frankston Arts Centre. The lighting of the Norfolk Pine on Davey Street followed by fireworks finished off the spectacular FREE event! Wow! Just wow! 

Spreading the Xmas cheer

Frankston City has been decked with local Christmas spirit!
The annual Christmas decorations have been erected throughout the city centre and surrounds, this year with three new items added to the collection to celebrate the festive season. And guess what, all were locally sourced! A three metre tall Gingerbread person can be found on Young Street, plus there are two new Christmas tree trio sets to enjoy; one underneath the Norfolk Pine at the Civic Centre on Davey Street and the other at the entrance to the Seaford Library and Community Centre. The Economic Development Team used all local suppliers to create and light up the decorations including Russ from Rusty Sculptures in Carrum Downs (who also created the sled and reindeers at the Cinema Forecourt) and Streamline Energy in Seaford. New pole decorations have also been added this year to enhance the Christmas cheer. The decorations were also installed by a local supplier, The Tree Doctor in Seaford. 

Hotel Lona wins business of the year at FBC Awards

The Frankston Business Collective's second Excellence Gala Awards Dinner 2024 was held on 29 November, at the Frankston Arts Centre, celebrating the remarkable achievements, dedication, and innovation of our local business community. Here are some of the winners; ​​​​​
-2024 Frankston Business of the Year Award: Hotel Lona
-Emerging Industry: Firefly Initiative
-Retail: Lisa's Lacies​​​​​​
-Small and Succeeding (Since 2023): Flowers for Jane
Head to FBC to discover more of the winners! 

Economic Scorecard 

Get the latest snapshot of our local economy's performance in this comprehensive overview. 
you can find important statistics from the quarter such as our top four industries and how they are performing in terms of Gross Regional Product (GRP) and gross value by industry sector. You can also find out about annual population, workforce, investment and spending, including the total local spend by suburb within Frankston City. The Economic Scorecard also includes key highlights from the quarter such as an overview of Council's projects delivered, testimonials from businesses the economic development team have supported and business success stories celebrated within Frankston City Council. Email business@frankston.vic.gov.au with your success story! 

New biz news! 

Forget Victoria's economic stand still, business is blossoming in Frankston City with many new ventures popping up around the municipality! Here are a few;
Furry Friends Dog Spa -  Expanding from a mobile service to bricks and mortar business on Wells Street. 
Blind Faith Distillery: Gin distillery opening in Seaford next year. 
My Mate Joe - At Seaford Train Station providing Coffee and Snacks for commuters. 
Young Street Tavern: Previously Humdinger, this popular pub at number 101, has a new name and a new look AND a new beer garden. 
Street Culture: A new pop up clothing store on the corner of Nepean Hwy and Wells Street. 
The Great Hornbill Cafe and Indian Restaurant: New to Shop 1/432 Nepean Hwy, Frankston. 

Business events for 2025! 

You asked and we can't wait to deliver in 2025! Based on your feedback we received for our Annual Business Survey, we identified key business workshops, training and events you were keen to attend to help your business grow! We've also added a few more based on your suggestions throughout 2024. Whether it be a workshop learning about business branding, accounting software, finance, start-ups, business escalation, marketing or digital advertising, or attending a forum to discover new ways to attract and engage quality jobseekers and future workers, Frankston City Council wants to help you do better business in 2025 and beyond. Offering FREE business training, workshops and events we are committed to helping you build a sustainable, successful business right here in Frankston City. 

Retailing still a sport in Frankston City 

In an age dominated by online shopping, Victoria’s local main streets are experiencing a resurgence, driven by the unique benefits of in-person shopping that digital platforms simply can't replicate. While online shopping offers convenience and ease, in-store experiences provide a level of sensory engagement and immediate gratification many customers still crave. To touch, try-on, sample and taste. Popular chains and franchises are experiencing a rise in in-store spending, thus attracting more customers to city centres and surrounding shopping precincts, subsequently benefiting small businesses with the increased foot traffic and extra vibrancy. 
There has been a noticeable revival in the popularity of locally owned, independent retail businesses too, as more consumers seek unique, high-quality, and locally sourced products. The "shop local" movement has gained particular traction in Frankston City, with passionately loyal residents increasingly choosing to support small, independent stores alongside the large selection of national household brand names.

Business Concierge 

Our Business Concierge is a free service to help guide you as you start or grow your business. 
We know that navigating through Council can be difficult, and businesses may need one or more permits or supporting information to start operating, expanding or relocating. 
The Business Concierge can:
*Provide information to help open or expand your business
*Help you understand which permits you will need
*Help you with completing and submitting these applications
*Offer advice on other aspects of running your business
*Connect you with our FREE business mentor program. 

Looking for a grant? 

Have you registered with Frankston Grant Finder yet? Browse more than 2000 grants (and tax incentives) worth $68.2B! Frankston City Council has signed up to this fantastic platform so you can have FREE access to search grants. Get notified when a relevant grant to your industry becomes available. 
Here's a few trending now on Grant Finder that your business could be eligible for;  
Digital Jobs Program - Eligible employers can receive a $1,600 wage subsidy for taking on a 12-week work placement or entry level job offered to a participant enrolled in the Digital Jobs Program.  
Distillery Door Program - 1. Upskilling our Distillers and 2. Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate - The Distillery Door Program is a $20 million package to support and enhance Victoria’s distillery industry.
You can learn all about these grants and many more when you sign up to the Frankston Grant Finder. 

In other FC news... 

Shout out to Frankston business Evolve Myotherapy! This new business is not only serving our community but will soon service some of the world's greatest tennis players at the Australian Open in 2025! Now that's game, set, match! 
"I'm super excited to work at the Australian Open in 2025." Mr Finocchiaro said. "I've worked in elite sports such as AFL, NRL, A-League and NBL so adding tennis to my skillset is a huge opportunity for me.
On working in Frankston, he said; "I love it here, it's where I grew up and now living here as a resident and helping others in the community has really helped provide a fulfilling working career." Check out Evolve's athlete sponsorship program too, sponsoring a new local athlete every six months! Congratulations Dion at Evolve Myotherapy.