Mackay small businesses in digital uptake

Published Thursday, 17 August, 2017 at 08:35 AM

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

Mackay small businesses continue to benefit under the $6 million Small Business Digital Grants program, being delivered through the Palaszczuk Government’s Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy 2016-20.

Speaking in Mackay today (Thursday), Small Business Minister Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government is committed to helping the sector grow – generating new jobs across the region.

“Small Business Digital Grants provide up to $10,000 in matched funding to help recipients embrace digital technologies and opportunities arising from digital disruption,” Ms Enoch said.

“Empowering small businesses to be digitally savvy is a key driver of this government's $22.7 million Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy.”

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said it was important to equip “our unique and innovative small businesses in regional Queensland’ with the tools and know-how to sell their products online.

“This assistance from government can potentially increase their reach to not just throughout Queensland, but around the world,” Mrs Gilbert said.

“This will provide regional small businesses with the opportunity to grow, expand and employ more locals.”

Mackay-based Redhotblue is one of five businesses in the Mackay region to receive funding under the Small Business Digital Grants program.

Redhotblue is using its grant to boost website capabilities to better showcase their portfolio of work and highlight their services for an efficient user experience.

“A Small Business Digital Grant will enable me to undertake upgrades to our website using the latest in innovation and coding," said owner Jody Euler.

“The funds mean my website will be interactive, educational and visually stimulating, and provide different ways to deliver our services. This grant will make our business more competitive and help us to continue to grow and employ more Queenslanders.”

In addition to the Small Business Digital Grants, the $22.7 million Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy includes a suite of support services to help small businesses start grow and employ, including the Small Business Entrepreneur Grants and Accelerate Small Business Grants, and the Mentoring for Growth program.

Ms Enoch said further grant funding rounds will open later this year.

For more information on Queensland Government support for small business, visit Business Queensland (www.business.qld.gov.au).

ENDS

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