Bathurst will become home to a ground-breaking technology incubator aimed at helping start-ups in rural and regional areas, in a first for regional New South Wales.
The incubator, which will be called Upstairs, will aim to replicate the success of similar hubs in Sydney and other metropolitan centres.
The space, which will include 50 workstations, high-speed internet and 24-hour access, will provide new and existing businesses with a space to pitch new products and develop innovative ideas.
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Small Business, John Barilaro, visited Bathurst on Tuesday to unveil the project and announce the State Government would contribute $270,000.
He said the facility would ensure the central-west continued a long tradition of innovation and supporting new businesses.
"Upstairs will be a ground-breaking initiative for the region that will allow government, education and business organisations to drive economic growth and jobs," Mr Barilaro said.
"Sydney is the start-up capital of Australia. New South Wales is the start-up capital of this great nation, and we want to continue to forge ahead to make sure we remain leaders in an area that we know is so important when it comes to job creation for the future."
Incubator to create dozens of regional jobs
The unveiling comes after a NSW parliamentary inquiry was launched in June to look at ways the government could better support regional start-ups.
Mr Barilaro said the hub in Bathurst would create 137 new regional jobs over five years.
"We know that in regional New South Wales we've got some great ideas, some great businesses," he said.
"It's not always in the city, but of course it's part of a broader network."
Charles Sturt University professor Mark Morrison said the facility would allow students to access modern technology, engage with local business owners, and pitch their own business ideas.
"This is one of the benefits you have in a regional community, where you get universities, councils, the business sector working together to create an opportunity and bring it to life," he said.
Bathurst mayor Graeme Hanger said the incubator would have wide-ranging benefits for the city and the greater central-west.
"We have 3,300 businesses in Bathurst and they can all benefit from this sort of technology that's Upstairs," Cr Hanger said.
"Now it's technology that us old folkies can't even contemplate.
"People starting up in Bathurst can do business all around the world and we have to get used to that and have to embrace that technology, and this is what this start-up hub will do."
