FUND TO DRIVE PRODUCTIVITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward said that driving productivity and economic growth for local businesses and attracting new investment into our region are critical elements of the State Government’s Regional Job Creation Fund.

Mr Ward said that the $100 million Regional Job Creation Fund Round Three will provide grants for regional businesses including those across the Kiama electorate to expand their business operations.

“These grants will allow our local businesses to boost production lines, deliver new equipment and embrace future technologies to drive efficiencies and productivity. 

“The Regional Job Creation Fund will create 6,500 jobs across key industries, and this new round will build on that by attracting additional advanced manufacturing capability to our regions.

“Eligible businesses can apply for grants of between $100,000 and $10 million for projects such as replacing plant equipment, upgrading technology and ensuring businesses that might otherwise have to relocate can remain based in regional areas.

In August 2022, I congratulated a number of local businesses for receiving funding as part of the previous round of the Regional Jobs Creation Fund, including:

• Australian Food and Pharmaceutical Industries Pty Ltd: $810,000 to modernisation of equipment to meet international demand for product;

• ProBev International Pty Ltd: $220,000 to upgrade existing equipment and training for staff to improve output and efficiencies;

• Nowra Chemical Manufacturers Pty Ltd: $150,000 for the Installation of new production lines to increase production capacity and I was pleased to join with the Managing Director John Lamont at Nowchem to make this major announcement;

• The Trustee for the Prosser Family Trust in Gerringong: $100,000 for the purchase of a centrifuge for the brewery to improve production, capacity and quality.

“Having grown up myself in a local small business family in Gerringong, I know how hard local businesses and family-owned operators work to turn a profit and to employ local people.

“At the very heart of a strong economy is a resilient and innovative private sector that embraces change, new technologies and new investment opportunities.

“Given that our region is home to these businesses, our local economy will benefit through their expansion and success and so I encourage all interested businesses across the Kiama electorate to apply before Monday 6th March 2023,” Mr Ward concluded.

Expressions of Interest for Round Three of the Regional Job Creation Fund will open on Friday 13th January 2023 and close 5pm Monday, 6th March 2023. Successful EOI applicants will be invited to submit detailed applications from May 2023.

For further information about the Regional Job Creation Fund, including program guidelines and eligibility criteria, please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/RJCF.