Millions in manufacturing grants available
MANUFACTURERS in the Darling and Southern Downs have the opportunity to supercharge their businesses, with the Queensland Government unveiling a fourth round of the highly successful Made in Queensland grants program.
Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water Glenn Butcher said the program, now totalling $61.5 million, had been given a greater focus on transforming businesses and delivering jobs for regional manufacturers.
Previous Made in Queensland grant recipients in Toowoomba include Big Tyre and Russell Mineral Equipment.
“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,” Mr Butcher said.
Made in Queensland grants of between $50,000 and $2.5 million are available to manufacturers operating in Central Queensland to become more internationally competitive and adopt innovative processes and technologies.
The program also supports businesses looking to bring manufacturing activity to Queensland and employ the skilled staff they need.
Mr Butcher said the Made in Queensland program had a proven track record of delivering for the 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.
“With another infusion of $15.5 million for round four, we’re going to see those numbers grow even further.”
For more information on Made in Queensland and to make an initial application, visit http://www.rdmw.qld.gov.au/miq