The Gawler Business Development Group have had a very successful year with the board providing a range of services to the business community of Gawler, according to its Chair, Ms Louise Drummond. Mrs Drummond said the focus of the Board is to grow the Gawler Business Development Group Membership base by engaging home based businesses and providing monthly networking and educational opportunities. “We are also keen to expand our reach into neighboring regions, build closer business relationships with Federal, State and Local Government bodies and other business groups. Mrs Drummond said the upgrade of the website has been challenging but we now have most businesses in Gawler recorded on there and there are a gratifying number of hits, up to 500 a day, on the site with people looking for information about both businesses and events in Gawler. “By using the Facebook page in conjunction to promote the town and businesses we have achieved a significant rise in the information getting out to the public,” said Mrs Drummond. The Board’s newsletter has been upgraded and has changed from quarterly to monthly and during peak activity periods fortnightly and we regularly exceed the opening industry average for such correspondence. According to Mrs Drummond Networking and Educational/information Workshops sessions have provided information and assistance to local businesses and an expansion of the educational component is planned for 2017 with a major business improvement program to be implemented. Mrs Drummond said the SALA Art Trail for the month of August was another highlight of the year. “The concept has been enthusiastically embraced by many artists and venues which curated exhibitions.” “The artists’ collective headed by Barbara Palmer arranged all exhibits and rostered the artists to man the venue.” “Artists sold work during the month and were very happy with the exposure achieved. We have already had new venues nominating to be part of the Trail next year.” “We celebrated our fourth Jazz Festival which brought visitors to the town to follow the jazz trail.” Mrs Drummond said the “Hero Building” project continued this year with a major space, Essex House, in the main street applying for funds to upgrade the façade. “The owner is also undertaking extensive upgrades to the interior of the building which will be occupied by the end of this year.” “I am confident that as a board we have provided relevant service to the business community of Gawler, supported by unsolicited comments from business owners which are immensely gratifying.”