Please note: With Council elections scheduled for 26 October, there will be no October Frankston City Business eNews distributed due to the pre-election Caretaker period. Our next edition will be 14 November.
Grants, business events and opportunities!
It's been a busy few months for the Economic Development team here at Frankston City Council!
In the last month our Investment Attraction team has been hard at work, networking with over 4000 prospective entrepreneurs and investors at key industry events - including two expos and various forums and business events.
Since August our Business Development Officer, together with some incredible local industry experts, has held seven business workshops, educating more than 150 local business owners and entrepreneurs.
Our Business Concierge has received more than <> direct enquiries from businesses starting or expanding while our Investment Lead Officer has followed up some very promising leads for new investment in the city.
Meanwhile our Grants Officer has begun receiving some exciting Frankston City Business Grants applications since the program opened on 2 September (see below for more details, closing tomorrow!).
Don't forget to check out Council's Business Support pages for all your business support, resources and growth needs - including our FREE mentoring program.
And remember, you can always reach out to us for all business related enquiries.
From the Frankston City Council Economic Development Team.
Business Grants only ONE DAY LEFT TO APPLY!
Only ONE day left to apply for our Frankston City Business Grants! Closing TOMORROW (Friday 13 September at 5pm) the grants offer between $5,000 and $20,000 per business with up to $150,000 available. A grant could help your business get the kick start it needs to thrive here in Frankston City! The 2024-2025 round of Frankston City Business Grants are designed to help you take the next step to expand your business, grow from a home-based business to a bricks-and-mortar commercial property or relocate your business to Frankston City from another location. Since its inception the program has helped 88 Frankston City small businesses and invested $1.26 million helping to create economic growth and
employment.
Pic: Thread Traders
Save the date for The Startup Sesh!
Are you ready to be your own boss? Seize the opportunity to take your start-up to the next level at this FREE insightful event on 14 November at Cheeky Squire, where industry experts share valuable lessons and essential tips on how to set up a business for success. At The Startup Sesh you will learn:
*The key steps to take when launching or scaling your startup
*How to avoid common pitfalls
*Effective ways to market business
*How to build a resilient and adaptable business model.
Whether you're in the early stages of your startup journey or looking to refine your approach, the panel at offers practical advice and insider knowledge to help you achieve your entrepreneurial goals. Don't miss this opportunity to network with fellow entrepreneurs and gain the insights you need bring your start-up vision to fruition. Tickets are limited.
Frankston's Christmas Festival of Lights opportunities: This popular event marks the start of the festive celebrations in the City, to be held on Saturday 30 November 2024. The event attracts one of the biggest crowds on Frankston's event calendar, drawing together the local community and visitors.
Food Vendor Opportunities: If you are a food vendor and interested in applying to be a food vendor at the festival, please complete the application form by Friday 20 September 2024, 5:00pm.
New European Christmas Village Precinct - Stallholder Opportunities: New to the 2024 event calendar is the introduction of the European Christmas Village Precinct, located in the Playne St carpark. We are actively seeking European-inspired, handcrafted, and unique items to join our Village. Complete the application form by Friday 27 September 2024, 5:00pm.
Locals Lane: New activation area, showcasing a selection of Frankston's local businesses. Seeking businesses keen to engage with the local community at this major event! Expression of Interest out now!
Want to sell your stock at the Frankston Visitor Information Centre?
Are you interested in showcasing your locally produced or crafted goods at the Frankston Visitor Information Centre Gift Shop? We are currently accepting expressions of interest from local producers and makers to supply high-quality saleable goods that reflect the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region, as well as Australia. This is a unique opportunity to expand your business reach and connect with both visitors and the local community.
Before you apply, please ensure your product range meets the following criteria:
*Locally owned, produced, or crafted
*Travel-friendly
*A true representation of our region, whether 'Frankston'-branded, symbolic of the local area, or representing Australia as a whole.
Your products must meet at least one of the following standards:
*Ethically sourced
*Sustainable
*Australian made
Frankston Grant Finder
Reminder to always be on the look out for funding to help your business grow! Get the details of all relevant grants you could apply for all in one spot with Frankston Grant Finder. We've partnered with Grant Guru to provide FREE access to their tool and fast and relevant information on over 2,043 grants worth $65.6B.
* Free email alerts
* Favourites: save grants to a shortlist
* Prioritise: assign a priority to a grant
* Diarise: keep track of dates
* Track: organise by application stage
This tool helps Frankston City businesses, community groups and individuals, find and access funding from Federal, State and Local Government, plus grants from corporate and philanthropic organisations. Grant Guru also list rebates, concessions, awards, scholarships and more.
Annual Business Survey
Our Annual Business Survey is closing next week on 16 September and you could win one of two $500 vouchers just by filling it out! The Frankston City Annual Business Survey allows you to tell us what business support services you are interested in accessing to help your business grow and thrive here in Frankston City. If you have a retail/hospitality, industrial or home-based business, you can provide feedback on how we could improve, change or continue to deliver existing or new supports. The more businesses that fill out the survey, the better we can understand your needs as a Frankston City business owner. Complete the survey by 5pm Monday 16 September 2024 to go into the draw to win one of two $500 vouchers to spend at an eligible Frankston City Business.
Future Frankston Forum
Mayor Nathan Conroy, Jodie Belyea MP and esteemed city architect Rob Adams AM presented to a sold-out room of developers and sector professionals at Frankston’s inaugural Development Forum Breakfast, hosted by the Property Council of Australia on Friday morning 30th August, held at the Frankston Arts Centre. Conroy and Adams were later joined on a panel by Clare Batrouney from Maddocks Lawyers and Brodie Commens from Tetris Capital to discuss challenges within the sector and in particular, development opportunities within Frankston City. Housing and development are a key driver of Frankston’s economy, and key to ensuring that the city remains a thriving place to live, work and play. Events like this development forum offer Council a way to pro-actively engage with the development sector to drive quality development outcomes. In his speech, Mayor Conroy took the opportunity to launch Council’s 5-point plan to attract quality development into Frankston City. For a copy of the presentations, or to be added to Council’s development e-newsletter, email development@frankston.vic.gov.au.
Economic Scorecard
Are you interested in learning more about Frankston City's economic status? Our latest Economic Scorecard: April - June, 2024, is up on our website and ready for you to view. You can also access past editions and compare. After extensive review of the quarterly report, the scorecard was transformed to provide an overview of the current structure and recent performance of the Frankston City economy. The quarterly report is comprised of both an annual Economic Snapshot of the municipality, including an Economic Overview and information about Frankston City Workforce, Skills and Resilience, and Investment and Spending. It also outlines Council’s commitment to local businesses for the previous financial quarter, including Key Highlights, Local Business Success Stories, and information on Business Engagement programs and activities.
Frankston Business Collective Networking Nights
The Frankston Business Collective have monthly networking events! These events provide a fantastic opportunity for you to connect with professionals, learn from experts, and expand your business network. Here are the next two networking night's details:
September Networking Night
Date: Wednesday,18 September
Time: 5.30pm - 7:30pm
Location: Extreme Networks
Guest Speakers: Join Extreme Networks founder James Eling, as he takes you on his growth journey, where the team now support over 7500 servers, and Tempo Insurance Group founder Nathan Raynor who is dedicated to safeguarding your business with personalized insurance solutions.
October Networking Night
Date: Thursday, 10 October
Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Location: NetfocusIT
Guest Speakers: Join Jason and Elizabeth McDonald at their dynamic Tech Service Centre in the heart of Frankston's entertainment district!
New event! Magic by Moonlight!
Prepare to be mesmerised as Magic by Moonlight transforms the George Pentland Botanical Gardens into a magical realm of light and wonder. From 12 September to 6 October attendees can immerse themselves in a breathtaking display that combines artistry, innovation, and the beauty of light. Magic By Moonlight LED light installation event will be operating from 5:30-10pm and will see over 30,000 bulbs used to illuminate over 250 mesmerising creations in an unforgettable experience sure to ignite imaginations and create cherished memories. There are four magical realms to discover including Fairy Land, Dinosaur Land, Underwater World, and Animal Kingdom.
FREE Business Workshops!
Here at Frankston City Council we offer a huge range of hands-on FREE business training workshops to help you upskill and assist your business with growth and sustainability.
All of the free workshops we offer are delivered by local industry experts who are eager to back your business and share their knowledge and expertise with you.
Next workshops;
Business Branding Session: Knowing your WHO: Tuesday, 17 September, 2024.
This session will be all about how to understand who your ideal customers are, what they care about, what you are solving for them, and where they exist.
Google Ads - How to use Digital to Upscale your Business: Tuesday, 12 November, 2024. Delivered by Tony Sambell and Praneeth Goud, this presentation provides industry insights that empower business owners and marketers to lead their organisations to greater success.
Visit www.frankston.vic.gov.au/businessevents to stay up to date with new workshops!
Imagine investing in Frankston!
Despite the current economic uncertainty, businesses are continuing to choose Frankston City, and thriving as a result. In the last couple of years alone, we have seen a wealth of brands and developments come on board, with many more to in the active pipeline. From Hotel Lona and Tex Mex to Horizon Apartments, businesses and developers are taking advantage of Frankston City and it's newly appointed title as a Metropolitan Activity Centre. From pinpointing opportunities for sustainable development, to elevating our arts and culture scene, engaging our vibrant community, embracing the quality of our health and education and continuing to develop our visitor economy. Contact our investment officer today at business@frankston.vic.gov.au to take the first step towards your business success in Frankston City.
Pic: Urban DC's Danny Ciarma
Business Directory
Our new Frankston City Business Directory now has more than 130 local businesses listed! Well done to those businesses who have used the FREE directory as a way to promote their business to the wider community!
Whether you are looking to book a local business, trade or service or you are a business keen to get listed for FREE, this directory is what you need to shop and sell local. Designed to help support, connect and promote local businesses within the Frankston City municipality, the directory is a trusted source for residents and other businesses to find local trades, retailers, services and home-based businesses. It will also help strengthen our economy, keep dollars local and provide free advertising for our hard-working Frankston City businesses.
Pic: iCheck Property Inspections
Small Business Bus
The Small Business Bus is returning to Frankston on Tuesday, 15 October from 10am - 4pm and will be at the Cinema Forecourt on Wells Street, Frankston, just waiting for you to turn up and soak up all the FREE small business advice you can get! Whether you’re starting, building, or transforming your business, the Small Business Bus can help you to develop your business ideas and capabilities.
Business advisers from Monarch Institute offer free 45-minute tailored sessions at selected locations around Victoria. A business adviser can help you to identify a clear direction for your business, discuss key issues and priorities, and develop a business action plan to achieve your goals.
Walk-ins are also welcome for the Bus Concierge service which provides general information about support available from Business Victoria.
The Victorian Chamber is bringing leadership training to Frankston!
Become a leader who inspires, influences, and supports employees in achieving their full potential. The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is bringing one of its most popular management courses to Frankston Art Centre!
Register now for Day to Day Management and Supervision of Staff on Thursday 10 October, 9:30am – 4:30pm. In this one-day course, you’ll gain the skills to handle difficult situations, professional discussions and drive positive results with confidence.
Member price: $695 (excl. GST) per person
Non-member price: $910 (excl. GST) per person
Congratulations Critical Info
Congratulations to local Frankston business Critical Info's Catherine Ashton, who took out bronze in the One to Watch category at the 2024 AusMumpreneur Awards in Melbourne recently. The AusMumpreneur Awards celebrate and recognise Aussie mums in business achieving outstanding success in areas like business excellence, product development, customer service and digital innovation. The awards are designed t recognise the growing number of women who successfully balance motherhood and business. Critical Info is a platform dedicated to end-of-life planning and awareness. Well done Catherine!
Pic: Catherine and Rodney Ashton.
Great Spring Clean Up
Frankston City Council is getting behind Clean Up Australia's Great Spring Clean Up 2024!
During September & October 2024, Clean Up Australia is championing 'The Great Spring Clean Up'. A nationwide initiative that will tackle litter in our streets, parks and waterways and improve our environment. One of the ways Clean Up Australia and its partner Bupa is encouraging others to get involved in the initiative is via local businesses.
A Business Clean Up is a fantastic way to engage staff, foster team spirit, and bolster your CSR initiatives.
Clean Up Australia relies on the support of businesses to help provide free materials for community groups and schools.
Welcome new businesses!
Despite the current economic uncertainty, businesses are continuing to choose Frankston, and thriving as a result.
In the last couple of years alone, we have seen a wealth of brand come on board, with many more to in the active pipeline. Just watch this video to see just how many investors have jumped on board Frankston City in the last two years!
Join us in welcoming some of the latest new and exciting businesses who have chosen Frankston City to set up shop!
- Luy's Kitchen - Offering Cambodian, Asian and Southeast Asian cuisines, you can find Luy's Kitchen right in the heart of our entertainment precinct at 7 Wells Street, Frankston.
- Pyramids - Choosing Frankston as their third location to open, Pyramids serves Middle Eastern Food from the Bayside Shopping Centre food court.
- IV Infusion Health - A health and wellbeing clinic focusing on vitamin infusion, IV Infusion Health, can also be found on Wells Street at Suite 1/40-44.
- Strong Pilates & Recovery Frankston - Opened this weekend! Owned by previous Block contestants Dan and Dani, Strong Pilates is located at 18 - 20 Kookaburra Street, Frankston.
- Firefly Initiative - A project created by seaford IT solutions company Kynection, Firefly aligns volunteers with community groups and local businesses to help fundraise. Firefly offers volunteers a reward program along with valuable volunteer experience. Currently looking for business sponsorships.
- Safeguarding You - Now working with 18 sporting clubs in the South-East region, local Frankston business Safeguarding You are elevating child safety with a new innovative program.
- Peninsula Powder Coating - Based at 4 Kitson Street, Frankston, Peninsula Powder Coating have moved from two decades in Mornington and are looking forward to providing the local Frankston City community with all your powder coating needs.
Welcome to Frankston City everyone!
Want more tips and support for your business?
Follow @investfrankston on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & LinkedIn or visit the Invest Frankston City website.
Seaford » Frankston » Langwarrin » Karingal » Skye » Frankston South » Frankston North » Carrum Downs » Langwarrin South » Sandhurst
