Palaszczuk Government grants help Wide Bay small business to grow

Small businesses in the Wide Bay region continue to benefit from the grants programs being delivered through the Palaszczuk Government’s Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy 2016-20.

Ahead of her visit to the region next week, Small Business Minister Leeanne Enoch said 23 small businesses in the region had been allocated more than $150,000 - helping generate growth and new jobs.

“The Palaszczuk Government knows small businesses play an important role in communities, particularly in our state’s regional areas,” Ms Enoch said.

“Since the grant programs opened, this government has allocated funding through our Accelerate Small Business Grant program, the Small Business Digital Grant program and the Small Business Entrepreneur Grant program,” Ms Enoch said.

“These grant programs provide support for small businesses at every stage of the start, grow and employ cycle. “

Member for Bundaberg Leanne Donaldson said 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,” Ms Donaldson said.

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

“We are seeing many small businesses use grant funding to employ new staff to help grow their businesses."

Alowishus Delicious in Bundaberg is a gourmet café with its eye on expanding its brand throughout regional Queensland by using its Accelerate Small Business Grant to franchise.

“We were so excited to receive the grant funding,” said owner Tracey McPhee.

“Right now we are in the process of fitting out our second café in Maryborough, which we will open before Christmas. Our broader ambition is to open two stores per year for five years.

“We’ve also utilised the Queensland Government’s Back to Work Regional Employment Package to hire staff to assist with the rapid growth we are experiencing.”

Nanango-based Karate 4 Kids received a Small Business Digital Grant to create a video coaching component for its website.

The extra work generated by the funding resulted in three new staff being put on.

Owner Geoff French said: “Without this Digital Grant we would still be dreaming of doing this project. And having to meet a timeline meant we put our focus on the project instead of letting it slide. Thank you.”

Ms Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government’s Go Local campaign also 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 $22.7 million Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy 2016-20 visit www.dtesb.qld.gov.au/small-business

ENDS

MEDIA 0412 393 909