SOMERSET Regional Council has spent $36.5 million with local businesses and suppliers in the 2023-2024 financial year.

Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said this was an extraordinary effort by Council to back its commitment to supporting the Somerset business community and suppliers.

“The record figure comes in at nearly 120% of Council’s total rates and charges revenue for the financial year,” Cr Wendt said.

“This does not include payments to our workforce, of which the majority live and spend locally.

“Elevated levels of expenditure have been possible in large part due to State and Federal Government grants attracted to our region.”

Cr Wendt said the greatest impact Council can make in supporting the business sector, including many small businesses, is spending directly with them to complete council projects.

“Each dollar we spend locally has every chance of multiplying and being spent a second and third time locally to help us support our business community and their workforce,” he said.

“Council’s 2024 figures are more than double that of our 2023 financial year spend.

“Council is actively using local weightings in tender selection criteria to give local businesses every opportunity to work with us.

“This is the process that has been successful for local suppliers on projects like the current flood recovery program.”