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(Inset) Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke and Coolamon Shire Council mayor David McCann officially open the Coolamon Business Park. Photo: Coolamon Shire Council.
Coolamon Shire Council has officially opened the Coolamon Business Park, a significant development that will “turbocharge” business and employment opportunities in the region.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke and Coolamon mayor David McCann officially opened the business park on Wade Street on 5 September. The business park is designed for light industrial businesses such as car washes, mechanics, tire shops, and gyms.
The $4.8 million project was built with funding from the Federal Government ($400,000) and the Drought Stimulus Package ($1.9 million), with Coolamon Shire Council funding the remaining costs.
The business park has 22 lots available for sale and presents an opportunity for new and existing local businesses and out-of-town investors to establish a presence in Coolamon.
Ms Cooke said the business park was built to boost business and employment opportunities in the region.
“Great news for the town and its surrounding areas,” Ms Cooke said. “This is a significant development and a true case of build it, and they will come.
“This project started in 2019 under the Drought Stimulus Package, and we knew that we needed to invest substantially in communities across regional NSW to ensure they could recover from drought-affected times.
“This project is an example of how communities have come out the other end stronger and better than before,” she said.
Ms Cooke was pleased to see the project completed and looked forward to the site becoming a hive of activity and offering a space for businesses to grow and expand.
Cr McCann was elated to get the ball rolling on the business park.
“It feels fantastic,” Cr McCann said. “It’s been a battle … we’ve had unusual weather patterns over the last 12 months, and the wet weather had put us a little behind on our schedule.
“But the council staff and contractors we’ve had on the project dug deep and finished off their various jobs.
“We are now ready to go with 10 businesses on our waiting list ready to move forward with contracts, and we’re looking forward to getting them signed up so they can go ahead and start what they need to do to construct their businesses.”
Cr McCann said the business park aimed to attract businesses into Coolamon and create employment for the younger people.
“[Coolamon Business Park] will negate the need for people to travel to and from Wagga for many of the services which we hope will be provided by the business park,” Cr McCann said. “It will promote further growth in the shire.
“This project has been a long time coming but has been well worth the wait and hard work to make this a reality. The business park will turbocharge opportunities for business and employment growth. We’ve already witnessed this with over 50 regional-based contractors involved in the construction phase.
“The opening of Coolamon Business Park marks a new era for our community and its economic development. This development is an investment in our future and a testament to the thriving business landscape we strive to encourage.”
Coolamon Shire Council is accepting expressions of interest for lot purchases. For more information, interested parties are encouraged to contact Coolamon Shire Council on 6930 1800 or email [email protected].