IT IS great to see people out and about with some sunshine.

SPEND LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL, SUPPORT LOCAL GIFT CARD PROGRAM

I’d like to take the opportunity of announcing a really exciting initiative from Greater Ararat Business Network. GABN is about to launch the Spend Local, Shop Local, Support Local Gift Card program. With support from the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions Flood recovery grants, we are excited to kick off a closed loop gift card system that allows customers to purchase a gift card from participating businesses to then be spent within any of the registered businesses in Ararat and district. This is a great idea for gifts, a reward for employees or prizes for events. The initial cards and set up are covered by GABN- and we actually have $10,000 to give away in card value- that will directly go back through the participating businesses. This is a great initiative by the hard working GABN committee and an ideal way to lead into Christmas. Just imagine if 300 or 400 of theses cards were purchased as Christmas gifts? It would mean that a whole lot of money would be guaranteed to go back into our local economy which is good for business owners, good for employees and good for job growth. The great part about these gift cards is they can only be spent locally meaning the money stays in our district.

I’d like to give a shoutout to Ararat Race Club for a magnificent day of racing last Sunday for the Ararat Gold Cup. The racecourse looked magnificent for Sunday’s racing program which is a real credit to the volunteers who maintain it. I would also like to thank the many local businesses who get behind and support this important event through the sponsorship of races and providing prizes.

Look out for our upcoming BAD (Business After Dark) at Barneys Bistro as well as the Square Table with Gift Card info and our popular Friday Night unwind for the Young Professionals

Our committee continues to work behind the scenes on the Valorify Biomethane Energy plant. Using by-product, this project offers to supply biomethane gas that can be pumped directly into supply lines and used for industrial purposes. It is an exciting project that can fill some voids by using straw from cereal crops. It potentially offers to supply biomethane gas that can be pumped directly into supply lines and used for industrial purposes. This is an exciting ‘decarbonisation’ project that can fill some voids wind & Solar energy cannot- and solve a current issue with bulky crop residue. Valorify are currently chasing interest and straw supply agreements for Stage 1- a very exciting project for our region.