By Lucy Waldron
To strengthen business ties across the Southern Downs and Granite Belt regions, the Warwick Chamber of Commerce and the Stanthorpe and Granite Belt Chamber of Commerce have announced a new reciprocal membership agreement.
This initiative offers dual membership to members of both chambers until the end of 2024, fostering closer collaboration and enhancing support for local businesses.
The new agreement enables businesses in Warwick, Stanthorpe, and surrounding areas to access a broader range of resources, networking opportunities, and support services.
Warwick Chamber of Commerce president Mark Celledoni expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasising the benefits of working together despite the friendly rivalry between the towns.
“By combining our efforts, we will achieve more for the region’s residents and visitors,” said Mr Celledoni.
Stanthorpe and Granite Belt Chamber of Commerce President Graham Parker echoed this sentiment, highlighting the hard work that has gone into establishing this collaboration.
“We are looking to build on the commonalities between the two regions that affect our business communities,” said Mr Parker.
“It’s about collaborating and working together to get a better outcome, rather than working in isolation.”
This unified approach is expected to create stronger business communities and drive economic growth across the regions.
The collaboration, which has been in the works since early 2024, has received strong support from the Southern Downs Regional Council.
The partnership aims to deliver comprehensive programs that will benefit local businesses and the broader community.
Two major initiatives will be at the forefront of this collaboration.
The first, the Shop Local Program, will cover the entire Southern Downs and Granite Belt regions, encouraging residents and visitors to support local businesses. This initiative will include a gift card system designed to keep money within the community, promoting economic growth and sustainability.
The second initiative, the Small Business Knowledge Program, offers local businesses the opportunity to participate in four masterclasses on essential topics such as Planning and Finance, Marketing, E-commerce, and Canva/AI. The program will also provide continuous online learning and support over an eight-week period, allowing participants to engage with experts and peers and apply new strategies to their businesses.
Both chambers are committed to supporting local businesses and ensuring the long-term prosperity of the Southern Downs and Granite Belt regions.
