Digital grants helping small businesses and job growth in Rockhampton

10 small businesses in Rockhampton 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 today announced 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.

“We know that small businesses are the engine room of a diverse Queensland economy and investing in their growth leads to more local jobs,” Ms Fentiman said.

“This is a key element of the Palaszczuk Government’s job building agenda which has seen more than 143,400 jobs created across the state since 2015.”

“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.

Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said round 3 of the program brings the total number of small businesses benefiting from the successful program to 759.

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

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

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

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

 “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,” Ms Lauga said.

“I’m particularly pleased the five grant recipients in my electorate of Keppel will gain an advantage for their businesses.”

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.

Unfortunately small businesses continue to be let down by the Turnbull Government and their disastrous rollout of the National Broadband Network which has seen sub-standard internet speeds and poor connection quality that is frustrating both customers and business owners.

“At a time when the Turnbull Government’s NBN rollout is failing Queenslanders, the Palaszczuk Government is supporting small businesses to take maximum advantage of the online economy,” Ms Fentiman 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