Millions of dollars are again up for grabs for rural businesses to grow and to create hundreds more jobs with expressions of interest in the next round of Rural Economic Development Grants opening tomorrow.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said $3.3 million is available in the next round of her government’s RED Grant scheme to help rural and regional areas as part of Queensland’s economic recovery.
“We’ve so far delivered $10 million in matched grants to help businesses in rural and regional Queensland to expand and grow jobs under the RED Grant program,” the Premier said.
“We have supported more than 30 projects which created 1,800 jobs across our regions.
“Businesses like Kialla Foods on the Darling Downs, Western Game Meat Processing in Longreach, Macadamias Australia in Bundaberg, Pohlman’s Nursery at Gatton and Marto’s Mangoes in Bowen.
“We’re continuing this investment with a further $6.6 million to be delivered in two rounds over the next two years to generate even more jobs, expand agricultural supply chains and provide significant economic benefit to rural areas.”
The co-contribution grants of up to $200,000 are aimed at strengthening primary production sectors and bolstering jobs in rural and regional communities.
RED grant funding may be used for activities such as capital expenditure on buildings, plant and equipment, as well as consumables used for the project.
It may also be used for training costs and technical support that are project specific as well as salary and on-costs for staff and professionals working on activities for the funded project.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said creating jobs for Queenslanders and supporting our regions is what the Palaszczuk Government is all about.
“Agriculture is an essential industry in Queensland and a vital part of Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan,” he said.
“Our strong health response has been critical in ensuring our agriculture sector can do what it does best – supplying the best fresh produce in the world.
“That’s why we continue to support our regions and why we have been so passionate in advocating for people in our regions to be vaccinated against COVID-19.”
Expressions of interest for the fourth round of the RED Grant scheme will open tomorrow and close on 13 December 2021.
Successful EOIs will be invited to submit a full application by 22 April 2022 with the final grants awarded by late June 2022.
The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) administers the RED Grant scheme on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
