Cromwell College is establishing win-win relationships with local businesses through sponsorship.
Board of trustees chairman David Beaumont said positive feedback was being received from business owners interested in signing as sponsors of the college.
Representatives of about 30 local businesses met the board and its maximising resource committee last week to discuss sponsorship packages and mutual benefits of entering into such deals.
Alexandra businesses were also involved, which proved there was a wider desire to be associated with expanding growth in Cromwell, Dr Beaumont said.
Business representatives expressed their desire to raise company profiles through the school, particularly in tough economic times, he said.
Development of the school would attract families to Cromwell, in turn providing the town's businesses with potential customers and workers, he said.
"Someone asked if they would simply be providing money for the running of the school and we assured them that the school is solvent - we do balance the books at the end of each year.
This is about developing the school and taking it to the next level," Dr Beaumont said.
Cromwell College's sponsorship drive was initially launched to meet finances needed for upgraded computer facilities.
About $100,000 a year was needed for the next three years, to buy and install computer hardware for much-needed expansion, Dr Beaumont said.
The Central Lakes Trust granted $127,500 for the project.
Different levels of sponsorship were being made available to businesses, so those struggling with the recession were still able to be involved in some way.
Platinum, gold and silver three-year deals, with benefit packages tailored to the investment made by businesses, were available, as well as a bronze package for parents and friends of the college or ex-pupils.
Dr Beaumont said the structure was received by businesses, which he hoped would continue to sponsor the school following the end of the technology funding drive.
"We can definitely hit that [$300,000] target but government funding is not likely to suddenly improve after three years and this [sponsorship] is likely to be ongoing.
We hope sponsors will want to continue their relationship with the school for further expansion projects," he said.
Sponsorship packages secured some businesses naming rights to the school's sports teams and productions, preferential seating at productions and events, and in some cases free radio advertising time with local stations.
Dr Beaumont said the school would also try to favour sponsors when the school needed to buy goods and services.
"When we come to tendering for certain projects or looking at buying goods we will always try to deal with local business sponsors.
"We spend a lot of money annually on goods and services," he said.
