One of the most successful business chambers in the state has risen from the ashes, with the Cowra Business Chamber holding its first meeting in more than a year. Chaired by Lex Webster, the Vice President of the previous chamber, the new chamber met at Geronimo Farm Equipment to establish a new committee, as well as nominate a leadership team. With those in attendance being Cowra’s business leaders, councillors and retailers, the chamber is also seeking participation from businesses on Kendal St. While business chamber membership is tax deductible, fees were set at $100. Participants also argued in favour of cheaper membership fees for renewals and non profits, with discounted options to be determined. Membership includes services to include support for human resources, small business legal advice and networking opportunities across the state. Mr Webster made the example of the success of electrical company Zac Power, with with networking at the previous Chamber being key to the company's early growth. "The good thing about Zac [Jones], is that he started a business in Cowra, I can't find anything he does wrong." Mr Jones said "The business chamber was a big part of that, I'm not local to Cowra at all; I'm from Sydney and knew nobody. Especially in my style of work, it required a lot of freight space." Mr Webster said Cowra was booming, but the main street was 'tired,' with participation from Cowra's CBD operators being a key goal of the chamber. "One of the problem's we've got with Cowra is - and people might get confused - Cowra's actually booming, but we've got a tired main street. It doesn't mean the overall economy is good, but we've got a lot of mid sized business that are going quite okay." "The fundamental thing I've learned about business, most of the successful local business all draw customers from outside our area. If you have a dress shop, you need to be drawing people from say, Young or Grenfell for example." "The only disadvantage in Cowra is that your main modes of transport you have rail, road and air. In Cowra you've only got road." Mr Webster alluded to logistical challenges perhaps being overcome by new ideas from digital natives who could combine their unique experience with older members. "While a lot of older people may have business experience, younger people tend to be more tech savvy" said Mr Webster. The 2025 Business awards recognised operators predominately from Mudgee, Orange, Lithgow and Dubbo. The restarting of the Cowra business chamber represents an opportunity for Cowra's existing and upcoming business leaders to share information, methods and advice, as well as have high achievements of local operators shared across the state. Interested businesses can contact the Business Chamber by reaching out to Ruth Fagan to discuss membership options, with a timetable of events and meetings to be announced in coming weeks. At this stage, interested businesses can contact the Business Chamber on warrengi@bigpond.net.au, with formal contacts, positions and a timetable to be established mid April.
