Queensland’s small and medium-sized businesses have another opportunity to secure grants of up to $50,000 to help them grow and create jobs.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer today launched the latest round of Business Growth Fund grants, with a total of $2 million available to help established businesses expand.
“This is the fourth round of Business Growth Fund grants that help high-growth small and medium-sized businesses to buy highly specialised equipment to accelerate growth,” Minister Farmer said.
“Last year, 40 Queensland SMEs were helped on the path to business growth by sharing more than $1.85 million from the Queensland Government through this program.”
The successful recipients include a business that is training drone pilots, a cheese manufacturer, a company developing innovative power management products, and a helicopter company, and are located from Far North Queensland to the Gold Coast.
Brisbane company Droneit has purchased new fixed wing and powered lift drones with its grant and is running test flights on both.
Droneit CEO James Jones said the Business Growth Fund grant meant the company was in a position to expand the range of training it offered.
“We will be able to train and certify people to operate these kinds of drones which are capable of a range of tasks, including surveying, crop analysis and disaster relief. The number of businesses that can currently offer this training is limited,” Mr Jones said.
Ecojoule Energy, based in Logan, has put its grant towards a regenerative grid simulator to support testing their products, which aim to make electricity grids more cost effective, reliable and environmentally friendly.
Ecojoule Energy’s finance director, Fiona Wishart said delivery of the simulator was well timed as the company was rolling out its Community Energy Storage system.
“With the new simulator we will be able to test thoroughly in house and identify any issues before despatch and installation,” Ms Wishart said.
Minister Farmer said it was fantastic to see more businesses pursuing their growth plans as Queensland Small Business Month during May celebrated the sector’s success stories.
“To make it as easy as possible for more businesses to apply, the application process has been simplified and streamlined,” Minister Farmer said.
“Businesses now have the opportunity to review the guidelines, prepare their applications and be ready to submit when Expression of Interest applications open on 31 May.”
The Business Growth Fund is part of $25 million of grants unveiled a year ago, which also includes the new programs, Business Basics and Business Boost.
To access the Business Growth Fund guidelines and other information on the program, visit the Business Queensland website at www.business.qld.gov.au or call 1300 654 687.
