Business-bolstering grants on offer for Rockhampton manufacturers

• Rockhampton manufacturer, Cirrus Ag was awarded almost $1 million through the Made in Queensland program – they’re encouraging others to seek Queensland Government support
• ReMade in Queensland grant, Manufacturing Energy Efficiency grants and Manufacturing Hubs grants now available

A Miles Government manufacturing grant has helped Rockhampton herbicide manufacturer, Cirrus Ag expand, create 5 new jobs and attract interstate customers.

Assistant Minister Bruce Saunders today visited the Kawana work site of the Made in Queensland Round 3 recipient.

With the almost $1 million grant, Cirrus Ag have been able to purchase, install, commission and operate a leading-edge granule manufacturing plant including advanced software control systems.

Assistant Minister Saunders is encouraging other manufacturers to apply for support through Queensland Government grant programs, so they can also reach this level of success.

Programs currently available include:

ReMade in Queensland

The newly launched first round of ReMade in Queensland (ReMIQ) grants are now available. ReMiQ will help local small-to-medium sized manufacturing and recycling businesses adopt remanufacturing processes that reduce waste and energy costs, reuse materials that might otherwise end up in landfill and convert these materials into new manufactured goods.

Applicants can submit an Expressions of Interest (EOI) for grant funding between $50,000 and $2.5 million to support projects that increase the reuse of existing recycled material streams in manufacturing or enable diversification to remanufacture new waste streams.

Expressions of interest for the ReMiQ program are now open, with submissions closing 19 February 2024.

Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant

The Miles Government’s Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant program is available to help manufacturers reduce their energy usage and cut energy costs, by providing direct support to manufacturing businesses.

Eligible manufacturers can apply for matched grant funding of between $5,000 and $25,000 to buy equipment or introduce processes that will reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Round 1 is open until 30 June 2024 or until all funding is allocated.

Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program

Businesses across Queensland are also benefitting from the $28.5 million Manufacturing Hubs Grants Program as part of the invaluable support provided through the more than $60 million investment in the six manufacturing hubs in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone and the Gold Coast. This grant supports development of businesses’ advanced manufacturing capabilities like technology adoption, skills and training and business development.

Round 3 is open until 30 June 2024 or until all funding is allocated.

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing, Regional Development and Jobs, Bruce Saunders:

“Cirrus Ag is a brilliant example of how well a business can grow after receiving the right support at the right time.

“Our investments in these programs have created and supported more than 7000 jobs across Queensland.

“I encourage all Queensland manufacturers to seek out these business-bolstering grants.”

Quotes attributable to Rockhampton MP, Barry O’Rourke:

“These grants will help businesses gain access to new equipment and technology they can use to enhance their operations, workforce and capacity.

“I am proud to be part of a government that provides so many opportunities to Queensland’s manufacturers.”

Quotes attributable to Cirrus Ag Director, Paul Hubbard:

“This grant has introduced flexible manufacturing capability to our Rockhampton facility supporting just in time manufacturing in response to seasonal needs and to offer local manufacturing services not currently available in Queensland.

“The business can now use just-in-time manufacturing and respond to the seasonal needs of growers, which means resources aren’t tied up making products where demand has fallen away.”

Further Information:

Queensland manufacturers seeking information about grant programs, visit https://www.rdmw.qld.gov.au/manufacturing/manufacturing-assistance-programs

ENDS

Media contact: Lizzy Aboud – 0474 811 004