The Queensland government has released the guidelines for the sixth round of its Made in Queensland grants program, which will offer up to $20 million in funding to support local manufacturers.
Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher met with local manufacturers in Cairns today to officially launch the guidelines.
The latest round includes a $2.5 million allocation for projects that do not involve the purchase of equipment. These projects can include software, system improvements, lean manufacturing, professional advice, improvement planning, and more.
Manufacturing businesses in Cairns have already received a total of $2.4 million through the grant program, which helped create and support over 600 jobs. This number is expected to grow further with the latest round, according to a media release from the state government.
“It’s such an exciting time for Queensland’s manufacturing industry. From the Palaszczuk Government’s Energy and Jobs Plan, our record $89 billion Big Build, or Queensland Train Manufacturing Program right through to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Butcher said.
“We want to make sure that manufacturers in Cairns and right across Queensland are in the best possible position to work on these major contracts.”
In total, the Queensland government has allocated $101.5 million for the Made in Queensland program, which helped create 5,900 jobs and leverage over $110 million in private sector investment.
Queensland manufacturers are also benefiting from other grant initiatives launched by the state government, such as the $28.5 million Manufacturing Hubs Grants Program.
The government has also allocated a $60 million investment in the six manufacturing hubs located in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, and the Gold Coast.
Member for Cairns Michael Healy is urging Cairns manufacturers to start preparing their entries for the grant program now.
Applications for the sixth round of the Made in Queensland will open on 16 October and close on 11 December. For more information, visit rdmw.qld.gov.au/miq.
