After a three-month struggle to survive, the Southern Tablelands and Highlands Business Enterprise Centre (BEC) will close its doors in two weeks time.
The desperate drive for funding has been abandoned after Wingecarribee Shire Council refused to pledge its support, driving the final nail into the lid of the BEC's coffin.
The business support organisation was left scrambling for funds after the NSW Government announced business services for the region would be provided from Wollongong in the future.
The drop in funding left the BEC with about half of what it needed to survive and manager Gilli Williams immediately appealed to local councils and chambers of commerce in her area to put up the shortfall.
Bowral Chamber of Commerce authorised its president to negotiate an appropriate amount and Mittagong chamber pledged $5000, but both offers were conditional on substantial support from Wingecarribee Shire Council.
The newly created Greater Argyle was unable to process the request for some time due to its delayed council elections.
It recently pledged $37,400 to the service each year for three years, and the Goulburn Chamber Commerce also made a three-year financial commitment.
"I have had 100 per cent support from everybody except Wingecarribee Shire," Ms Williams said.
Full story in Wednesday's Southern Highland News.
Email a friend