Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has congratulated Wollondilly small businesses on an outstanding year of growth.

Speaking to business owners at the inaugural Wollondilly Business Awards last night, Mr Taylor said Wollondilly was one of the fastest growing areas along the Hume corridor and business owners were to be congratulated on their entrepreneurship and hard work.

“Some of the success stories here are truly inspiring,” Mr Taylor said.

“As one of the café owners told me, it’s the community-mindedness of the businesses here that stands out – and their resilience.”

Picton Chamber of Commerce president Kyle Chamberlain said Wollondilly now had more than 4000 registered businesses.

“An awards night specifically for our shire gives many of these businesses a chance to showcase their products and services and makes other businesses aware of their presence. As we always say in Wollondilly – Support Local!” Mr Chamberlain said.

Tahmoor small business owner Siobhan Dennehy, owner of Industry Dance Company who last night won Wollondilly Business of the Year, described her business growth in the past six months as ‘explosive’.

“We have grown from dance classes just one day a week in the local CWA hall, to now operating from two studios with 450 students, six days a week,” Ms Dennehy said.

“We are so humbled by the success that we have experienced over the past 26 months and can’t wait to see what the future holds for this local business.”

(Dept of Industry, Innovation and Science Business Report 2017-18)

Mr Taylor said in 2017-18, 148 new businesses were registered in Picton (39), Silverdale (34), Tahmoor (25), Thirlmere (28) and Bargo (22).

He said the Federal Government was offering a wide range of support for small business owners including reduced company tax, increasing the instant asset write-off scheme, establishing a new securitisation fund for loans to small business, and new subsidies for regional employers to take on an apprentice.

Caption 1: Angus Taylor congratulating Tahmoor small business owner Siobhan Dennehy

(second from left) and the team of dance and singing teachers from Industry Dance Company of Tahmoor.