Deputy premier John Barilaro was there to cut the opening ribbon, alongside Bathurst MP Paul Toole, to officially open the hub, almost nine months after the NSW Government announced $270,000 to build the hub.

“We want to support people in regional NSW, entrepreneurs and start-ups, to be able to bring an idea to fruition,” he said.

“The NSW Government is definitely leading the way to be the start-up capital of not just in Australia, but in the Southern Hemisphere.

“We should not just restrict that to the city and metro. It needs to have a fantastic ecosystem right throughout regional NSW and this is fantastic.” 

Upstairs manager James Lloyd said its fantastic to have the hub based in Bathurst.

“By simply having a place that is low cost like the start-up, it just really gives you that leg up to begin with,” he said.

“It’s $325 a month and that gives you 24/7 access to a dedicated workplace, seven days a week, so you can come and go as you please.”

Upstairs, which is based at the Reliance Centre on Russell Street, will help new businesses start-up in Bathurst and the Central West.

It will offer business mentoring programs, children coding nights, robotics competitions, hackathon and events and interaction with other entrepreneurs. 

Upstairs will also collaborate with Charles Sturt University to raise awareness with final year students.

Upstairs will be a community facility overseen by partners including Charles Sturt University, Bathurst Regional Council, the Department of Industry and the Office of Regional Development, according to the NSW Government.

Upstairs has been in the works for over two years and Mr Lloyd said Bathurst will benefit greatly from the hub. 

“It’s a huge asset to Bathurst,” he said.

“It means new and innovative businesses are founded here which will bring new and innovative jobs to the region. 

“With that, it’ll encourage more people to come out here. 

“Hopefully, we’ll become a hub in the region for this and see job growth occur.”