The Andrews Labor Government is supporting workers in a range of industries across Gippsland, with three new projects set to create 60 jobs in the region.
Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas today visited one of the successful recipients of the Labor Government's Regional Jobs Fund - Bambach Cables at Rosedale - and met with other successful businesses to hear how they are expanding opportunities for local workers.
The funding will enable Bambach Cables - Australia's oldest copper cable manufacturer - to expand its advanced cable manufacturing facility and create 13 new jobs.
New machinery will allow Bambach to boost production and increase its capacity to provide fire rated and protected cables to the Australian infrastructure, defence, mining and building sectors and create opportunities to provide products to more industries.
Food service distributor Bidfood Australia and outdoor living company LV Shade Sails are also receiving support for their expansion plans. Bidfood is investing $13 million in a state-of-the-art cold storage wholesale food distribution facility at Morwell, creating 40 new jobs for a mix of skilled technical, transport and management workers.
Bidfood expects its revenue to grow between 10 to 20 per cent a year after completion of the new distribution centre, supporting a strong economy built on Gippsland's strengths in the food and fibre sector.
LV Shade Sails produces and installs commercial and domestic shade structures, blinds and awnings from its current manufacturing facility in Traralgon. The company's new manufacturing site - also in Traralgon - will be three times larger than its existing facility and will allow the business to create seven new full-time jobs.
The projects are part of the Government's $2 billion investment in projects and programs that have added more than 4,000 additional jobs to the Latrobe Valley's workforce since 2014.
The Regional Jobs Fund is part of the Victorian Government's flagship Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, which helps businesses create more jobs in regional Victoria.
As stated by Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas
"We're supporting more local businesses and industries in the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland - backing the region's strengths in the manufacturing and food and fibre sectors. This means more jobs and opportunities for locals."
As stated by Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
"These projects are what the Regional Jobs Fund is all about - investing in local people, businesses and jobs to help strengthen Gippsland's economy."
