Palaszczuk Government shines spotlight on Capricornia small businesses

Small Business Minister Leeanne Enoch today (Friday) congratulated 13 Yeppoon and Rockhampton-based businesses who have received more than $60,000 in funding under the Palaszczuk Government’s Small Business Digital Grants and Accelerate Small Business Grants programs.

Speaking at the Capricornia Small Business Breakfast held at the Keppel Bay Sailing Club in Yeppoon, Ms Enoch said small businesses in the Capricornia region are being given a boost under the government’s Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy 2016-20.

“Empowering small businesses to be digitally savvy and accelerate their growth are key drivers of the Palaszczuk Government’s $22.7 million Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy,” Ms Enoch said.

“Our economic plan is setting the right conditions for business growth after the deep cuts of the Newman-Nicholls Government.

“This government’s Small Business Digital Grants provide up to $10,000 in matched funding to help small businesses embrace digital technologies and opportunities arising from digital disruption.

“Our Accelerate Small Business Grants also provide up to $10,000 in matched funding to enable small businesses to engage business mentors, coaches or an advisory board for between six and 12 months, and to get the assistance they need to take their business to the next level.”

Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said the Palaszczuk Government is continuing to grow business confidence in the CQ region.

“The Palaszczuk Government understands the important role small businesses play in the state’s economy, making up 97 per cent of all registered businesses and employing 43 per cent of the private sector workforce,” Mrs Lauga said.

“This is why the Palaszczuk Government is committed to providing Queensland small businesses across the state – not just in Central Queensland - the support they need to start, grow and employ.”

Yeppoon-based @Real Estate successfully applied for funding under round two of the Small Business Digital Grants program and will use the funding to develop videos that will be used to boost their online marketing.

Director Natalie Gesler said the business had been planning the project for more than a year and the grant funding has helped them make it a reality.

“We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the Small Business Digital Grant, it’s made the whole project faster than we thought possible,” Ms Gesler said.

“The funding has given us a boost and we’ve shot the videos this week so they’ll be ready for release as we enter our busy spring period.

“I’m really excited about our online marketing plans. We want to see our sales grow and online marketing is crucial to building our business.”

Ms Enoch is in Yeppoon as part of a regional visit by the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council.

”The Queensland Small Business Advisory Council is playing a valuable role in supporting this government’s commitment to create jobs and deliver our small business strategy,” Ms Enoch said.

“Its membership draws on a mix of small business and industry experience, and includes local Yeppoon businessman Mr Derek Lightfoot, Managing Director of Tropical Pines.

“The Council provides advice and solutions to significant small business issues, and is enabling the government to continue to engage directly with small business and hear first-hand about matters that are most important to them.

“Small business make up more than 97 per cent of all Queensland businesses, and employ around 44 per cent of the total private sector workforce, which is why it is vital we make sure we know about issues affecting the small business community.”

For more information on the Small Business Digital Grants program and the Accelerate Small Business Grants program visit www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/grants

More information on the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council can be found at www.dtesb.qld.gov.au/small-business/queensland-small-business-advisory-council

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