Gladstone businesses to keep growing thanks to Qld budget funds

A number of Gladstone businesses are set to benefit from a $50 million investment by the Palaszczuk Government to continue two major grants programs aimed at creating jobs, while building skill and capability in local workforces.

Speaking at Upton Engineering in Gladstone, Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher said the Manufacturing Hub and Made in Queensland Grants programs have created or supported more than 5000 jobs to date. 

“We’ve heard a lot of talk about manufacturing in recent months, but it’s this Palaszczuk Labor Government that’s doing the work. We are building on our long history of supporting the vital manufacturing sector and that’s something I am really proud of.

“The 2022/23 Queensland budget has allocated $40 million to continue the Made in Queensland grants program and $10 million so we can keep awarding Manufacturing Hub grants.

Minister Butcher said the grants will enable businesses, like Upton Engineering, to get bigger and better, as well as enter new markets.

“This government is doing the work and investing the money to create good jobs and drive economic growth in our regions.”

Upton Engineering received a $636,972 Manufacturing Hub grant earlier this year, which has enabled the business to purchase a Makino a500Z 5-axis machining centre.

“To have this capability come to regional Queensland is really exciting, it’s a really high-end and advanced manufacturing, which allows us to compete internationally and bring our costing down,” Managing Director Mitch Upton said.

“Without the Queensland Government grant, that piece of machinery would not be a reality for us right now.”

Minister Butcher said the two grants programs have helped to generate more than $100 million in private sector investment and are tipped to create or support more than 7000 jobs in the future.

“These investments are a win for manufacturers and a win for the regions.

“The grants are enabling our fantastic local manufacturers to create more good jobs and much better services,” he said.

The Manufacturing Hub Grant funding is in addition to the $17.7 million announced, earlier this year, which locks in Queensland’s Manufacturing Hubs for the long-term.

ENDS

Media contact: Emilia Hutchinson – 0437 060 435