Queensland invests in small business development
Sydney (22 May)
The Queensland Government has launched the first round of its Regional Business Gateways scheme to strengthen supply chains, support small businesses, and improve the resilience of struggling sectors.
Queensland will offer up to A$4 million of grant funding to community-led projects run by local governments, non-profits, or industry groups outside of Brisbane, it said on 22 May.
“Whether it’s helping small businesses connect with major infrastructure projects … or bringing together councils [and trade groups] around a shared regional growth strategy, these projects will help unlock opportunities that are unique to small and family businesses,” Liberal National Party Representative Natalie Marr said.
The Regional Business Gateways scheme is meant to support regional businesses, but is open to projects in larger cities like the Gold Coast and Cairns. Its programme guidelines do not favour any specific areas in the state, the Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business (CDSB) told Lithos.
Economic development agencies in some rural areas are evaluating their eligibility for the scheme, Lithos has learned.
Councils, non-profits, and trade groups can submit Expressions of Interest until 17 July, requesting between A$250,000 and A$600,000 per project. Some projects will then be invited to submit full applications.
“[Councils, non-profits, and trade groups] know their regions best, and this funding will help them deliver practical initiatives that strengthen local small and family business ecosystems,” Queensland Minister for Small and Family Business Steve Minnikin said.
The Queensland Government already supports regional economic development through Economic Development Queensland’s industrial estate scheme. It has developed 17 pre-zoned industrial areas across the state to attract investment and speed up development approval times.
By Avinash Govind