Business development in Lake Macquarie has received a boost with the Central Coast Community College taking over the management of the Lake Macquarie Business Growth Centre.
The college will continue the business incubator program at the council-owned Gateshead centre, and look to introduce government-funded small business training and trade training.
The centre was established in 1998 operating as a not-for-profit organisation to support and grow small and micro businesses in Lake Macquarie.
The city is now home to 13,000 businesses - 98 per cent of which are classed as small and Central Coast Community College CEO Joanne Martin said she hoped to support the "well established" community.
"A lot of businesses with COVID have had to pivot, and if we can help people sustain or improve their business with new skills, it will really just help support the strong small business economy operating in Lake Macquarie," she said.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said it was important that services the Business Growth Centre provides continue for the benefit of businesses and the local economy.
"We have an amazing business community that achieves many incredible things each year," she said.
"I believe the Central Coast Community College provides a platform to grow and diversify the BGC, which is exciting for our City. I look forward to seeing the range of training and skills development they can offer locally for both individuals and businesses," Cr Fraser said.
