Small and medium food and beverage manufacturers across the Mid North Coast can apply for a grant of up to $25,000 each to save money on energy bills, improve energy efficiency and adopt new energy technologies under the latest $19.9 million round of the Energy Efficient Communities program.
The grants can be used to replace existing equipment with more energy efficient models, carry out energy audits, or improve energy monitoring and management.
The food and beverage manufacturing industry is the largest manufacturing sector in Australia, contributing around $22.4 billion to the economy. The Australian Government is supporting this vital sector of the economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pat Conaghan Federal Member for Cowper said the funding will help manufacturing businesses lower their power bills and emissions.
“Lowering business energy emissions is an essential component of securing Australia’s carbon neutral future” Mr Conaghan said.
“I look forward to seeing our home-grown and world-class local businesses benefiting from the Federal Government’s commitment to back business as part of our journey to becoming carbon neutral.”
Mr Conaghan said the program specifically targets food and beverage manufacturers to capture some of the most energy intensive small and medium businesses in Australia.
“Initiatives such as this are part of the Government’s focus on technology, not taxes, to boost competitiveness, creates new jobs and sensibly reduce Australia’s environmental footprint.”
Applications close on 18 February 2022 or earlier if funding is exhausted prior.
