20 February 2026

This edition of Business Link focuses on recovery resources for fire-affected businesses, including the Business Support Day on 23 February and the Harcourt Rising fund. Read about the launch of our new tourism region plus several professional development opportunities, ranging from digital skills training for manufacturing to social entrepreneurship grants and business planning workshops. 

Business Support Day for Fire-Affected Businesses

Mount Alexander Shire Council and the Harcourt Progress Association invite local business owners impacted by the January fires to a dedicated support day on Monday 23 February. This session provides a practical space to access recovery resources, meet with agency representatives, and contribute to the region’s long-term planning.

Event details:

• 11.00 am – 3.00 pm: Recovery Help Desks Access one-on-one consultations with specialists from Mount Alexander Shire Council (Planning and Business Support), Emergency Recovery Victoria, Agriculture Victoria, and the Business Victoria Small Business Bus. Legal and financial advice will be available through ARC Justice, Rural Financial Counselling Service, and the Insurance Council of Australia.

• 11.15 am – 12.00 pm: Services Update A formal briefing featuring updates from Emergency Recovery Victoria, the Insurance Council of Australia, ARC Justice, and Council’s Planning team.

• 12.00 pm – 12.45 pm: Business Q&A Panel A discussion regarding local recovery efforts featuring Maree Edwards MP, Mayor Toby Heydon, and local business representatives.

• 1.30 pm – 3.00 pm: "The Road Ahead" Workshop A facilitated community session to identify immediate needs and explore collective solutions for the next five years.

📅 Monday 23 February 2026
🕔 11.00 am – 3.00 pm
📍Harcourt Leisure Centre, Binghams Rd, Harcourt
💲Free (includes lunch)

The Business Victoria Small Business Bus will be at Harcourt for one-on-one business support for fire impacted businesses.

Launching Victoria’s Heartland:
A New Identity for Regional Tourism

On Thursday, Destination Central Victoria launched its new consumer brand, Victoria’s Heartland at Boomtown Winery & Bistro in Castlemaine. The new region spans Mount Alexander, Hepburn, Macedon Ranges, and Central Goldfields regions. This identity highlights the region's "compact diversity," focusing on award-winning food, mineral springs, goldfields history, and artisanal culture.

The new website offers a fresh platform for visitors to discover local experiences, from nature-based activities to creative workshops. Local businesses are encouraged to explore the consumer site and discover more about our new tourism region at the Destination Central Victoria website.

Harcourt Rising: Economic recovery after the bushfires

Business Mount Alexander has partnered with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) to support Harcourt businesses following recent bushfires. The fires caused widespread damage to orchards and farms, including the devastating loss of The Cool Store, a vital hub for over 85 local producers.

This initiative provides a structured pathway for donations to help affected businesses stabilise and rebuild. To contribute, please donate to the FRRR Public Fund:

• BSB: 633 000
• Account: 144 419 736
• Reference: BMA and the first four letters of your surname

To learn more visit the Harcourt Rising page on the Business Mount Alexander website.

Victoria’s AI Mission: Business Roadmap

The Victorian Government has released its AI Mission Statement, a strategy to establish the state as a leading hub for artificial intelligence. For local businesses, the statement focuses on increasing productivity through automation and supporting the adoption of trusted, locally built digital tools.

The government is investing in several initiatives to help businesses transition:

• Digital Jobs – AI Career Conversion: An $8.1 million program to upskill professionals and embed AI capability within small and medium enterprises.
• Sustainable Data Centres: A $5.5 million plan to build the necessary digital infrastructure and workforce.

View the full AI Mission Statement to learn how these pillars support local industry.

Business Plan Development Workshop

Are you looking to start a new business and need a comprehensive plan to get moving? Asuria is hosting a transformative one-day workshop in Castlemaine as part of the Self-Employment Assistance Program.

This intensive session provides expert-led guidance to help you craft a strategic business plan from scratch. Participants will cover critical start-up essentials, including ABN and business name registration, marketing strategies, and financial planning. The day also features hands-on activities to develop a 90-day operational plan and risk management contingencies. You will leave the workshop with your finalised business plan in hand.

📅 Tuesday 3 March 2026
🕔 10.00 am – 14pm
💲Free

To secure your spot, call your local Business Mentor Ramesh Singaram - 0417 623 204

Information Session: Free Digital Jobs Training 

The Victorian Government is offering free digital skills training to local businesses within the construction and advanced manufacturing sectors. This initiative, part of the Digital Jobs program, is designed to support innovation and technology adoption through specialist courses and leadership workshops.

Eligible businesses can enrol staff in various high-demand areas, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security, CAD/CAM, and Project Management (Agile). To learn more about delivery modes and application steps, business owners are invited to an online information session.

📅 Wednesday 18 March 2026
🕔 11.00 am – 11:45am
💲Free

Regional Architecture Association: Power of Community

The Regional Architecture Association (RAA) is hosting its first Victorian event, Power of Community, in Yarrayne / Guildford. This three-day experience focuses on sustainability systems and the collective influence of regional communities.

The program features local case studies including the Newstead Community Energy project and the award-winning Paddock development in Castlemaine. Business owners and residents are invited to explore how technological advancements and community resolve drive real-world improvements.

Event details:

📅 Thursday 12 - Saturday 14 March 2026
📍Yarrayne / Guildford, VIC
💲Various - see website for details

Healthy Food Systems small grants open

The Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit (LMPHU) is offering grants from a $5,000 pool to improve local food access. While focused on community settings, for-profit businesses in Mount Alexander Shire may apply if their project aligns with LMPHU goals, such as promoting locally grown, plant-based foods or native produce.

Project suggestions include (but are not limited to);

• Improvements and upgrades to community gardens,
• Planting of bush tucker items,
• Multi-cultural food sharing events,
• Edible garden expo’s,
• Use of indigenous foods incorporated into menu’s at inpatient health facility.

Projects must align with the Loddon Mallee Population Health Plan. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposal with LMPHU Healthy Food Systems Prevention Population Health team members prior to submission: LMPHU@bendigohealth.org.au

Program details:
📅 Applications close 5pm, Tuesday 25 February 2026.

Funding for Social Entrepreneurs: Tomorrow Makers SPARK

Business owners with a "profit and purpose" mission can now apply for the AMP Foundation’s Tomorrow Makers SPARK program. This 18-week intensive helps early-stage social entrepreneurs develop sustainable models that drive community impact.

Participants receive up to $20,000 in grant funding, weekly expert-led workshops, and a dedicated business mentor. The 2026 program includes a two-day immersive session nearby in Beechworth, offering a valuable opportunity to connect with regional changemakers.

Program details:
📅 Applications close 2pm, Wednesday 4 March 2026.

Support after the January 2026 Victorian bushfires 

Emergency Recovery Victoria has collated a list of currently available supports, which you can access here.

Council has also compiled local information and updates on the January fires and heat events, available on the Mount Alexander Shire Council website:
January 2026 fire and heat updates | Mount Alexander Shire Council

Smoke Taint Testing Support for Local Vineyards

Agriculture Victoria is providing logistical support to help local wine growers manage smoke taint risks for the 2025–26 harvest. To assist the industry, Agriculture Victoria is covering the cost of weekly consolidated shipping for frozen grape samples to Affinity Labs in Adelaide.

Samples must be fully frozen and prepared according to the Affinity Labs Grape Sampling Protocol.

📅 Collection Dates: Wednesday 25 February and Wednesday 4 March.
📍Nearest Drop-off: Tahbilk Estate (Cellar Door), Nagambie.
💲Shipping is free; growers are responsible for laboratory analysis fees.

Tell us how your business has been affected by the current fire event

We want to know if your business has been affected by the current fire event in our region.

Council wants to know how many businesses have been impacted, and to what extent. We can connect you to support services and advocate on behalf of shire businesses for state and federal support.

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Mount Alexander Shire Council
email: business@mountalexander.vic.gov.au  web: www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au

Mount Alexander Shire Council acknowledges that the traditional custodians of this
land, the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung peoples, proudly survive. We acknowledge their continued practice of custom and their close cultural, spiritual, physical, social, historical and economic relationship with the land and waters that make up
their country, which includes Mount Alexander Shire.