Digital grants helping small businesses and job growth on the Gold Coast

Published Tuesday, 19 December, 2017 at 12:09 PM

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development
The Honourable Shannon Fentiman

 

45 small businesses on the Gold Coast will share in more than $1.8 million in grant funding under Round 3 of the Small Business Digital Grants Program.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman visited Commercial Hospitality Supplies today (Dec 19) to announce 356 small businesses state-wide will receive assistance to work smarter, engage with the global economy, make the most of online business opportunities and grow.

“I am thrilled that these grants will provide a welcome boost for more than 350 small businesses across Queensland to enhance their digital and online operations,” Ms Fentiman said.

“The grants of up to $10,000 will help business owners to work smarter and make the most of the online business market.”

“It’s wonderful to see first-hand the hard work that goes into a small business and how this grant will assist Commercial Hospitality Supplies to expand their online business.”

Round 3 brings the total number of small businesses benefiting from the successful program to 759.

Queensland’s more than 414,000 small businesses have the potential to drive huge economic growth for our state.

If 15% of Queensland’s employing small businesses employed one more person, 23,000 new jobs would be created.

Small businesses have now been allocated more than $3.9 million through the Small Business Digital Grants Program.

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the Small Business Digital Grants program will enhance small businesses to thrive and grow in the local economy.

“Supporting small businesses to stay relevant in the fast paced digital age will boost success and growth for our thousands of Queensland small business owners,” she said.

The Small Business Digital grants are just one example of the commitment the Palaszczuk Government has towards technology and digital advancement along with support for our small businesses.

In contrast, the Turnbull Government’s botched National Broadband Network rollout which has seen sub-standard internet speeds and poor connection quality frustrate both customers and business owners.

Ms Fentiman said the Palaszczuk Government has plans to provide Queenslanders with cheaper, faster and more efficient internet using existing optical fibre networks.

“Providing a quality option for local businesses to access low cost, fast, reliable internet is vital to running a business and the Turnbull Government has failed Queenslanders with it’s NBN,” she said.

Further rounds of the Small Business Digital Grants will open in 2018.

To be eligible to apply, businesses must have a registered business name, have fewer than 20 employees and a turnover of $2 million or less in the last 12 calendar months.

Further details are available at www.business.qld.gov.au/digital

 

ENDS

Media contact:                   Inga Williams                     0410 769 711