The McGowan Government’s latest round of Regional Economic Development (RED) grants are helping to boost jobs and build resilient local economies in the Mid-West.
Ten projects will share in $1.04 million in round three grants to support agricultural development, tourism expansion and telecommunication infrastructure installation.
Geraldton’s Sun City Produce will receive $230,000 to transition its horticulture production to full hydroponics, enabling year round production of fruit and vegetables.
The funding will be used to install a reverse osmosis desalination plant and supporting infrastructure to improve the water quality to boost production and target export markets.
Mid-West tourism accommodation options will be expanded to attract more visitors to the region with a total of $383,700 being invested in upgrades to the Greenhead Caravan Park, Seaspray Beach Holiday Park and Rainbow Jungle in Kalbarri. Longer term the upgrades will provide more local jobs to service the increase in visitors.
Geraldton’s J&L Hirst will receive almost $67,000 to install the first heavy vehicle brake tester into the Mid-West region to improve road safety and build on heavy vehicle serving capabilities.
The Shire of Chapman Valley will use its $23,300 to install a telecommunications tower at popular wind surfing location Coronation Beach, to provide access to Wi-Fi and internet services to support safety and encourage visitors to promote the wind surfing spot online.
The McGowan Government recently committed an additional $5 million to extend the initiative for another year – with a total of $33.8 million directed to RED grants over six years for projects that will directly benefit regional communities.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“RED Grant funding is making a real difference in Mid-West communities, helping to develop businesses and key industries such as agriculture and tourism as we move forward from the challenges of 2020.
“These Mid-West projects have a strong sense of promoting the communities where people live and work alongside diversifying businesses to encourage more visitors to the region, which will deliver flow-on benefits of economic growth and boosting local job opportunities.
“This latest funding commitment adds to the $1.48 million allocated to 12 Mid-West projects funded through the previous two rounds of RED grants.
“The State’s nine Regional Development Commissions are on the front line promoting our RED grants and supporting businesses and communities which make our regions places where people want to live, work and wander.”
