The Queensland government has awarded $20.5 million to 33 manufacturing projects as part of Made in Queensland (MiQ) grant program’s fifth round.
The latest funding is expected to support almost 9,500 jobs and create 2,380 new positions in the region over the next five years. Approximately $51 million in private investment is expected to be generated with the help of grant funding.
Eighteen of the 33 projects selected for MiQ are located in Regional Queensland, ensuring that local economies outside the southeast corner benefit from business growth, jobs growth, and wages being spent in the local community.
The MiQ grant program was established to support Queensland-based manufacturers in adopting Industry 4.0 processes, practices, and equipment and enable them to start projects that include energy efficiency, export, reshoring, supply chain enhancements, sustainability, and decarbonisation.
Bundaberg business Aletek is among the businesses selected for the grant program’s fourth round, receiving $1.36 million to purchase and install a punch/laser combination machine, hydraulic press, flatbed cutter, and handheld 3D scanner.
The equipment enabled the company to scale its product line, onshore steel manufacturing, and hire 15 new staff members, taking its total workforce in the region to 89 employees.
“This job-generating program has a total investment of $101.5 million, with 136 projects already receiving a grant,” Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher said.
“Jobs in manufacturing are good, secure jobs. That’s why the Palaszczuk Labor Government backs this program, we are supporting our manufacturers to go to the next level each and every day.”
The Queensland government’s 2023-24 State Budget has allocated $32 million to the MiQ program.
For more information on Made in Queensland grants, visit the DRDMW website.
