Palaszczuk Government Accelerate grants speed up small business success

Published Thursday, 15 June, 2017 at 10:22 AM

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

The Palaszczuk Government today (Thursday) announced the latest round of funding under its $3 million Accelerate Small Business Grants Program.

Small Business Minister Leeanne Enoch said eight small businesses will share in funding totalling $63,582 to engage business mentors, coaches or an advisory board to work closely with the business for six to 12 months.

Recipients are: Kilfoy Cabinets (Cairns); Jade Cosmetic Clinic (Cairns); Capricorn Caves (Rockhampton); Whoosh Air (Bundaberg); Baywood (Maryborough); Amber Leaf Landscaping (Sunshine Coast); Surety IT (Brisbane); and TPS Health (Brisbane).

Ms Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government is committed to providing small business owners and operators with the support they need to succeed.

"Business confidence in our state is the highest it’s been since 2014,” Ms Enoch said.

“The latest ABS economic growth figures for the March quarter show Queensland’s domestic economy grew for the fifth straight quarter – further evidence of the upswing in the state’s economy under the Palaszczuk Government’s economic plan.

“On the strength of these results, we must continue to back our 414,000 small businesses to help them grow and employ - especially in our regional communities.

“Recipients of the Accelerate Small Business Grants receive matched funding of up to $10,000,” she said.

Since October 2016, more than $290,000 in Accelerate Small Business Grant funding has been allocated to 34 Queensland small businesses.

Lisa Fry, of Amber Leaf Landscaping, said she plans to use the grant funds to restructure her growing business to meet constant demand from new and returning clients.

“After more than 10 years, we’ve reached a point where we need to better allocate our resources for maximum efficiency. We work only on residential properties, doing landscape design and construction, and often can’t meet demand for our services," she said.

“We’ve got a good team of five talented landscapers, and good designs and products, but I know we can do more.

“We will engage a professional business advisor to help us with resource allocation and systems management, and to encourage us to think bigger than we ever have.

“We attended a Mentoring for Growth panel last year, which inspired us to apply for an Accelerate Small Business Grant. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing our business grow in a new and more efficient direction.”

Applications for Accelerate Small Business Grants are open until 30 June 2017.

To be eligible, Queensland businesses must have been trading for a minimum of three years, have a minimum turnover of $500,000 and fewer than 20 employees. The funding must be matched by a cash contribution from the participating business.

For more information, and to apply online, visit the Business Queensland website.

ENDS

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