Katanning Shire backs directory to help regional businesses grow online

The Katanning Regional Business Association is set to receive a $5000 boost to help businesses move online after securing support from the Shire of Katanning at last week’s council meeting.

The move will help the KRBA establish an online directory for Katanning and create an eCommerce platform to make it easier for local businesses to sell products and services online.

Businesses struggling to make the move online can also receive support to create web pages or ramp up their online presence.

KRBA president Alan McFarland said the organisation hoped to see the service up and running by Christmas.

“It is going to be amazing ... it’s something we’ve been meaning to do for a long time but the cost has been quite prohibitive for a small country town business association like us,” he said.

“We are raring to get our local businesses online and into the 21st century. I think it is perfect timing — everyone is trying to buy local as much as possible.”

The project is expected to cost about $16,000, with the KRBA having already secured $10,000 from the Great Southern Development Commission.

Shire president Liz Guidera said the project would help lift the quality of Katanning’s online business presence.

“The platform gives those small businesses without the resources or capacity to create an online page that will be used for sales, service and promotion,” Ms Guidera said.