Leaders from 70 Bathurst businesses attended a lunch on Thursday that was organised by Bathurst Regional Council to help foster networking opportunities.

The city’s economy is growing at around 2.1 per cent each year, while the Bathurst gross domestic product is now valued at $2.14 billion, a report to Bathurst Regional Council revealed this week.

Council economic development manager Steve Bowman said not only was the city’s experiencing a strong economic growth, but the population grew 1.86 per cent in the past 12 months to 43,080 at the end of 2016. 

At the lunch he said that having strong support from Bathurst’s business leaders was vital to ensure the continued strong economic growth of the city.

“This is our way of connecting with the senior leaders in Bathurst,” he said.

“We need their support when it comes to projects and the economy … it’s a great way to get them involved in council projects.”

Western Research Institute general manager Wendy Mason said the event was important to help businesses connect and understand what was happening in the region.

At the event for the second time, she said the lunch was very “future focused” and it helped to foster powerful connections between Bathurst’s businesses.

“The fact that this lunch actually happens means Bathurst is open for business,” Ms Mason said.

Reliance Bank has sent a representative to the Bathurst Business Lunch for the past four years it has been running and general manager Adrian Finch said it was vital to get involved.

“This shows the council we’ve got is progressive and recognises that community involvement with council is good for the community as a whole,” he said.

“I think it’s important for networking with the other business leaders in town.

“If you know people they’re more open, they’re more likely to share ideas that can make Bathurst a better town that’s more relevant to its citizens.”