New research by leading KPMG Demographer, Bernard Salt reveals Bendigo is set to become an entrepreneurial hotspot as a result of greater connectivity and projected population growth driven by the “e-change” movement.
Commissioned by nbn, the Bendigo Lifestylepreneur Report reveals while the town has faced a significant shift in its employment structure since transitioning away from the manufacturing industry, it has experienced a steady 2.3 per cent uplift in local micro businesses (1-4 employees) in the last two years as the town moves towards a service economy.
The research reveals local business owners are embracing digital technologies to expand in to new markets. It highlights key pockets such as Strathfieldsaye (up 32 per cent), Bendigo South (up 28 per cent) and Maiden Gully (up 20 per cent) leading the start-up charge.
While manufacturing, construction and agriculture businesses were once central to the Bendigo economy, emerging industries such as professional services (up 48 per cent), accommodation and food (up 44 per cent) and financial services (up 21 per cent) have shown the greatest uplift since 2015.