Manufacturers in Wide Bay and Burnett have the opportunity to supercharge their businesses with the fourth round of the Made in Queensland grants program.
Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water Glenn Butcher said the Queensland Government program, now totalling $61.5 million, had been given a greater focus on transforming businesses and delivering jobs for regional manufacturers.
“In the first three rounds, 40 per cent of Made in Queensland projects were based in regional Queensland. As Minister for Regional Development as well as for Manufacturing, I want to see that percentage grow,” he said.
“I want Queensland to be Australia’s premier manufacturing state.
“That’s why Made in Queensland round four enables eligible regional manufacturers to access up to 75 per cent of their costs for projects to the value of $500 000 – up from 50 per cent.”
Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith said that the Made in Queensland program had a proven track record of delivering for the Queensland manufacturing industry.
“Over the first three rounds of the $46 million Made in Queensland program we’ve invested directly into our manufacturing sector, which is supporting 84 advanced manufacturing projects, generating over 1100 new jobs and underpinning $100 million in private sector investment,” he said.
Previous Made in Queensland grant recipients from the local region include Bundaberg Brewed Drinks and Bundaberg Rum.
Queensland’s manufacturing sector contributes more than $20 billion each year to the Queensland economy and provides jobs for more than 170 000 people.
For more information on Made in Queensland and to make an initial application for the grants, visit www.rdmw.qld.gov.au/miq.
