A new initiative that has been launched to stop the leakage of business spending to places outside the Northern Rivers region expects to see a multimillion-dollar return if business to business trade is done among local companies.

Using a free app – Bigger Backyard Northern Rivers, the initiative aims to provide easy access for local businesses to procure goods and services from other local businesses.

Business NSW Regional Director, Jane Laverty said it was frustrating to see business dollars going outside the region when businesses can access great products, services and suppliers from the Northern Rivers region.

“We are in an economic crisis so every dollar that is currently being spent outside of the region is critically important to us in making the Northern Rivers regional economy stronger and more resilient,” she said.

“We have created a free, easy to use App – Bigger Backyard Northern Rivers to support Business to Business procurement with every business clearly profiled in what can be easily accessed off your phone.

“You want to be confident that you will find the product or service you are looking for from another Northern Rivers based business – it’s a twist on your buy local campaign but just for business – and we hope it will give businesses in our region a much-needed boost.”

Ms Laverty said if your business trying to connect with a Northern Rivers supplier, but you can’t find what you want, Bigger Backyard Northern Rivers wants to know so they can attract new businesses to the region to provide that service.

“I am inviting all Northern Rivers businesses to be part of it,” she said.

“We also have larger businesses such as The Casino Food Coop, Norco, Southern Cross University, Summerland Credit Union and others committing to using the App to increase their local product and services procurement, so it is a great opportunity for small to medium enterprises to win new work just by being in Bigger Backyard Northern Rivers.”

To get more information, to register immediately or ask for help visit the website www.biggerbackyardnorthernrivers.com.au or call Business NSW Northern Rivers on 5631 8509.