Palaszczuk Government grants grow Sunshine Coast small businesses

Small businesses on the Sunshine Coast continue to benefit from dedicated grants programs being delivered under the Palaszczuk Government’s Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy.

Small Business Minister Leeanne Enoch said today (Monday) the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to small business growth is helping generate new jobs in the region.

Ms Enoch said in stark contrast to the Newman-Nicholl’s LNP, the Palaszczuk Government is setting the right conditions for small businesses to start, grow and employ.

“We know small businesses are the lifeblood of communities, particularly in our state’s regional areas,” Ms Enoch said.

“Under the various grants programs on offer through our Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy, 53 Sunshine Coast-based small businesses have been allocated more than $230,000.

“Forty one small businesses have been allocated $181,087 in Small Business Digital Grants, nine have been allocated $38,619 in Small Business Entrepreneur Grants and three small businesses have received $18,400 under the Accelerate Small Business Grants program.

“We are seeing small businesses being able to employ new staff after receiving our grants to help grow their businesses.”

Digital grants are designed to assist small businesses make the most of online opportunities through $10,000 in matched funding.

Entrepreneur grants provide $5000 in matched funding for critical early support when establishing a small business.

Accelerate grants are for established businesses to engage a business coach or advisory board, again through $10,000 in matched funding.

Bundilla Pharmacy on the Sunshine Coast, a family-owned business which employs 10 staff, received a Small Business Digital Grant.

Partner James Lester said they used the grant to upgrade their point of sale system - improving their business by making it quicker to serve customers, manage stock holdings and keep track of sales and ordering.

“We're so pleased to receive this grant. It’s added enormous efficiency and growth to our business, meaning we are losing less sales and instead able to invest more time in our customers,” Mr Lester said.

Ms Enoch said the government is also providing support through the successful Mentoring for Growth program.

“Since the launch of our $22.7 million Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy, 93 mentoring activities have been conducted for Sunshine Coast-based small businesses,” Ms Enoch said.

“Two workshops supporting small businesses have also been held in the Sunshine Coast Regional Council area, and during May’s Queensland Small Business Week, five events were held with 248 participants registering to attend.”

In addition, Ms Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government’s Go Local campaign continues to champion small businesses state-wide.

“We are encouraging Queenslanders to Go Local, get behind their local business owners and make a direct investment in their local community.”

To find out if your small business is eligible for an Advancing Small Business Queensland grant, visit www.business.qld.gov.au/grants

To download a copy of the Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy 2016-20 visit www.dtesb.qld.gov.au/small-business

ENDS

MEDIA 0412 393 909