Rural Economic Development Grants create 2562 good jobs, new round open

The Queensland Government’s Rural Economic Development Grants program has marked its 2000 good jobs milestone after more than $12 million was invested over four rounds since 2018.

And a fifth round of the good jobs-creating grants is open for expressions of interest with a further $3.9 million in grants up for grabs.

Co-contribution grants of up to $200,000 are aimed at strengthening primary production sectors and bolstering good jobs in rural and regional communities.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the new round, worth $3.9 million, will help to generate good jobs, expand agricultural supply chains and provide significant economic benefit to rural areas.

“Since the first round in 2018, the RED Grant scheme has already delivered over $12 million in funding and created more than 2,562 good jobs in rural and regional areas to date,” Mr Furner said.

“In this year’s State Budget, the Palaszczuk Government provided an additional $6.6 million for a further two rounds of the RED Grant scheme over two financial years to stimulate good jobs growth and boost investment in agricultural supply chain projects.

“This takes the total commitment for the RED Grant program to $16.6 million over 5 years.”

Grant funding may be used for activities such as capital expenditure on buildings, plant and equipment, as well as consumables used for the project.

It may also be used for training costs and technical support that are project specific as well as salary and on-costs for staff and professionals working on activities for the funded project.

Expressions of interest for the fifth round of the RED Grant scheme will close on 30 January 2023. Successful EOIs will be invited to submit a full application with final grants awarded by late June 2022.

The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) administers the RED Grant scheme on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

For more information visit qrida.qld.gov.au/program/rural-economic-development-grants.

ENDS

Media contacts

Minister Furner – Ron Goodman 0427 781 920

QRIDA – Amy Buckingham 07 3032 0521