More than $1 million in digital grants for small businesses is on offer as Queensland kicks off the start to Queensland Small Business Week today
Launching Queensland Small Business Week 2019, Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman congratulated and thanked the state’s 438,000 small businesses for their contribution to Queensland’s thriving economy.
“Small Business Week acknowledges the vital contribution small businesses make to the state’s economy, and to every community across the state,” Ms Fentiman said.
“Each small business has a story filled with passion and hard work, and their businesses are the heart and soul of our communities.
“Last year, more than 7,500 people participated in 175 Queensland Small Business Week events. This year we have grown even bigger with a record of over 260 events on offer.
“To kick off this year’s Queensland Small Business Week, I am pleased to announce applications open for our Small Business Digital Grants.
“These grants are by far our most popular amongst small businesses and a federal parliamentary inquiry into internet competition has recommended that something similar be offered to small businesses across the nation.”
“The Palaszczuk Government has already supported over1,100 small businesses with almost $6 million in digital grants.
“And this latest round will offer grants of up to $10,000 to help business owners to work smarter and make the most of the online business market.”
In 2018, Queensland small business Dynavyte Livestock received a digital grant to start an eCommerce site for its products. The extra traffic generated has led to increased sales, new product lines, a new warehouse in Toowoomba, and the employment of two new staff.
“As a start-up company you know where you want to go, getting there with limited funds is challenging; the Small Business Digital Grant was a much-needed leg-up for Dynavyte, and the beginning of our next chapter of growth,” Chief Operating Officer Phoebe Turkington said.
More than 40 organisations and individuals have also shared in nearly $200,000 in grants to host an event during Queensland Small Business Week.
“Among the events this week you’ll find workshops on sustainable and innovative packaging solutions for small food businesses, a live podcast recording in partnership with Graziher Magazine at a women in grazing lunch in Rockhampton, and a Life Portraits workshop in Moranbah to help small businesses become better product photographers using smart devices.
“In Cairns we have courses on successful staff recruitment, in Bli Bli they’re teaching sales strategy, meanwhile up at Toowoomba it’s search-engine optimisation.”
Queensland Small Business Week 2019 is hosted by the Queensland Government in partnership with Bendigo Bank and Construction Skills Queensland and is supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland.
