Narrabri Industrial Network forms to promote local businesses

The Narrabri Industrial Network (NIN) will not only showcase local businesses but also create avenues for Narrabri's youth to remain local.

NIN was set up to create a "one-stop shop" where outside contractors and businesses conducting projects in the region could find local businesses to use.

Working closely with Narrabri Shire Council and Narrabri and District Chamber of Commerce, NIN is also building a relationship with Narrabri High School.

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The connection with the high school will give the students another path toward work which could keep them in town.

"Narrabri's greatest export, unfortunately, is its youth," NIN vice president Stuart Southwell said.

"We've already had a school-based apprentice where - due to drought - their employer couldn't continue the traineeship. We were able to find, through the group, a mechanic here able to pick him up and continue the traineeship. That's one success and we're barely six months old."

The group was conceived late last year when companies started tendering for the Narromine to Narrabri project.

It is just one project - NIN is in full support of future developments concerning coal, gas and inland rail - the organisation wants to see local businesses benefit from.

"We want those companies to use local businesses instead of a tenderer coming in from the Hunter," Mr Southwell said.

"It's great that they rent a few houses but they do the job and then they're gone."

Mr Southwell added: "Whatever growth comes our way, we can make it stick to the town."

The growing membership base currently consists of a whole range of businesses.