It comes as no surprise that the pandemic had a substantial impact on local companies and communities alike, and attempts to strengthen the economy in terms of dollars spent and jobs generated are vital for local council, regional development, and development corporations.

Economic development is the number one goal as we move into a recovery and rebound phase, with local firms reopening and expenditure growing, and local councils are seeking for methods to guarantee that occurs swiftly and sustainably as we transition to a post-COVID-lockdown environment.

To achieve economic growth, forward-thinking council leaders are looking for partners to assist them accelerate and maintain local spending, and they recognise that technology plays an important role. For some time, digital communities have had a considerable influence in this arena, but not all platforms and techniques are providing concrete outcomes for the economy.

Here are three ways that enterprising council leaders are harnessing digital communities to boost economic growth:

1. To provide businesses with a platform for selling, partnering, and collaborating.

Council leaders are looking for comprehensive digital platforms that would allow them to support local and regional businesses in a variety of ways. They are putting in place digital communities that provide local businesses with a simple method to join, collaborate, and sell to right away.

They are aware that a service provider must help them to promote their community to businesses and, in addition, must give them the tools they need to collaborate with and do business with other companies as a result of using the community space.

They are aware that a service provider must help them to promote their community to businesses and, in addition, must give them the tools they need to collaborate with and do business with other companies as a result of using the community space.

Peter Rampellini from Goldfield Esperance, one of our clients, shared:

“Over 200 local firms have entered data into the GE Business Register in the first three months, indicating that they are capable and prepared for local procurement opportunities from large organisations operating there. in the region”.

2. to offer local communities a single location where they may engage with local community members and trained experts

Local council leaders are figuring out how to encourage spending by communities, and by making it as simple as possible for locals (particularly regionally) to locate and support competent enterprises, growth can continue.

These leaders are aware that the globe has largely become digital, that hybrid distant employment is now the norm, and that many people do at least some of their shopping online. Because online community building can link people and businesses more quickly than offline events, council leaders are aware that it is a no-brainer.

3. To empower local community with job opportunities

Local governments, particularly those in charge of regional areas, are aware of the importance of creating jobs in all industries at the local level, making sure that they are simple to locate and level the playing field for prospective employees.

Council leaders are aware that digital communities may facilitate speedy connections, assist job searchers in discovering their ideal employers, facilitate attracting residents to new prospects, and help company owners locate the most qualified personnel in their neighbourhood. You have a limited talent pool when there isn't a digital bridge connecting people.

Alina Azar, one of our clients from the Mid-Western Region Council in the Mudgee Region, shared:

"Mudgee Region Jobs helps to deliver on economic goals for our region and connect Council with the local business community. It makes it possible for local firms to connect with nearby job searchers, enabling them to post job openings absolutely free in order to fill open jobs and expand.

Conclusion

Economic developers are looking for ways to clearly match their investment priorities in technologies and services with their economic strategy. They choose simple, efficient solutions that deliver noticeable results almost instantly rather than another another piece of technology that will complicate and obstruct their internal processes.

There are many different ways that economic development can happen locally, and local councils are essential to it. Councils are responsible with developing long-term economic development plans that will help their neighbourhoods grow, and many forward-thinking decision-makers are aware that digital communities may help.

Through the end-to-end implementation of digital communities, Localised collaborates with local authorities to encourage local company growth, local spending growth, and job prospects. We work with council leaders to implement their local digital community and make sure they are prepared from the start so they have the best opportunity to carry out their economic development strategy.