''It's a good opportunity for everybody to share knowledge and resources ... I think it's down to individual businesses to drive it - we can't sit back and wait for it to happen.''
The Maniototo Business Group would help continue to stimulate growth and business in the region.
Central Otago District Council economic development officer Warwick Hawker said he would offer informal support, and that the group would be a good way for the area's business community and the council to engage with each other.
''It's a positive sign. It's great because people can support each other. It provides a focus for events ... there's all sorts of positive ways groups like that can help support businesses as a group, and individuals.''
Mrs Pont said the group had been an idea since Project Maniototo had identified the need for one through community discussions, but was not sure when planning had started.
Previously, similar groups had been set up for Naseby and Ranfurly individually, but had not been sustainable, she said.
The new group would be open to businesses throughout the Maniototo, as well as those who served or operated in the area from elsewhere.
Key issues would be communication, internet business, creating a network for operators in the area, and encouraging people to think local when spending money.
Roxburgh Teviot Valley Business Group facilitator Sally Smith said the group would provide its Maniototo counterpart with support and advice, as the equivalent Cromwell group had done for it.
Forming the group had improved communication and relationships between Teviot Valley businesses, Mrs Smith said.
''I think that what it has achieved is that it has pulled everyone in the town together. As a community, it's really been great. Shared information is good.''
Maniototo Community Board chairman Mark Harris said it was pleasing to hear businesses in the area were doing well and the group was being set up.
''We could do with more business in town - we still have a few empty shops.''
If the area could attract more employment or a form of large industry to the area, it would be great, he said.
Mrs Pont said, in the past, groups in the Maniototo had received ''great'' support from the Otago Chamber of Commerce and hoped to re-establish those links.
Funding for the group was yet to be determined, she said.
Meetings would begin in July, starting with breakfast gatherings, before identifying a time which would suit all of those involved.
The concept for the group had not been released to the wider Maniototo community yet, but Mrs Pont would inform people and gather feedback before the first meeting.
