The Bega Valley Shire Council adopted an Economic Development Strategy (EDS) in mid-2015. TheEDS identifies objectives and strategies to achieve them over the period 2016 to 2021. The EDS recognises Council has a role supporting the economy at the local or town and village levels and alsoat a regional or Shire wide level. The Regional Microcredit pilot is one tool being used to achieve these objectives.

This new microcredit program launched in 2016 is delivered via a three-way partnership involving the Bega Valley Shire Council, Bendigo Bank and Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre (Lighthouse).