Assistant Minister Bruce Saunders has called on the state’s local manufacturers to apply for support through the Queensland government’s grant programs dedicated to fostering businesses in the sector.
Saunders visited the Kwana work site of Rockhampton-based herbicide manufacturer, Cirrus Ag, a Round 3 recipient of the Made in Queensland grant program.
With almost $1 million in grants, Cirrus Ag has been able to purchase, install, commission, and operate a leading-edge granule manufacturing plant including advanced software control systems.
“Cirrus Ag is a brilliant example of how well a business can grow after receiving the right support at the right time,” Saunders said.
“Our investments in these programs have created and supported more than 7,000 jobs across Queensland.”
The state government has developed a series of programs to help bolster the local manufacturing sector. This includes ReMade in Queensland, the Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant, and the Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program.
The first round of ReMade in Queensland (ReMIQ) grants was launched recently. The program aims to help local small-to-medium-sized manufacturing and recycling businesses adopt remanufacturing processes that reduce waste and energy costs, reuse materials that might otherwise end up in landfills and convert materials into new manufactured goods.
Under ReMIQ, local SMEs can secure funding between $50,000 and $2.5 million to support projects that increase the reuse of existing recycled material streams in manufacturing or enable diversification to remanufacture new waste streams.
Applicants can submit expressions of interest for the grant funding until 19 February.
Support for manufacturers to reduce their energy usage and cut energy costs is also available through the Queensland government’s Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant program.
Eligible businesses can apply for matched grant funding between $5,000 and $25,000 to buy equipment or introduce processes that will reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Round 1 of the program will receive applications until 30 June or until all funding is allocated.
Queensland businesses are also benefitting from the state’s $28.5 million Manufacturing Hubs Grants Program. This was made possible through the more than $60 million investment in the six manufacturing hubs in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, and the Gold Coast.
The program seeks to support the development of businesses’ advanced manufacturing capabilities like technology adoption, skills, training, and business development.
Round 3 of the grant program is open until 30 June or until all funding is allocated.
