- Miles Labor Government announces support for 17 more regional, remote and rural businesses
- Backing Business in the Bush Fund has now supported 35 small and medium sized enterprises
- Regional businesses set to thrive with funding for a wide variety of new projects.
The Miles Labor Government has confirmed support for an additional 17 regional businesses under the $50 million Backing Business in the Bush Fund.
This second tranche of announcements brings the total number of bush businesses to 35 that have been supported under the fund.
Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) from Flinders to Fraser Coast will receive financial support ranging from $500,000 to up to $2 million each.
The latest round of funding will support companies' growth plans, expanding current facilities, purchasing new manufacturing equipment and machinery, and implementing specialist technology and automation systems.
The projects will also help position some of the companies to expand into new domestic and international markets, providing valuable job opportunities within their regional communities, and boosting local economies.
As stated by the Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:
"We are proudly backing homegrown Queensland bush businesses, providing funding support so they can do what they do best – grow their regional economies and create good jobs.
"It is important that small business across our vast state, including in regional, remote and rural Queensland, receive the support they need to meet the specific challenges they face and to capitalise on new opportunities.
"With fund recipients coming from industries including agriculture, food processing, engineering, mining equipment, technology and services (METS), transport and manufacturing, they reflect Queensland's incredibly diverse economy.
As stated by Australian Prawn Farms Senior Manager Tony Charles:
"This funding will allow us to equip our aquaculture farm in Issac with advanced automatic feeding technologies, boosting feeding efficiency, production, and environmental benefits.
The on-farm connectivity component of this project will modernise and future-proof our operations, enabling seamless integration of innovative AgTech and digital solutions across our hatchery, grow-out farm, and processing facilities.
As stated by Data Farming Managing Director Tim Neale:
"DataFarming services over 45,000 farms globally, and we are seeing a shift in the way farmers use fertilisers.
"DataFarming, an AgTech business based out of the regional city of Toowoomba, are developing digital tools for farmers, agronomists, and fertiliser companies to rigorously test new sustainable fertiliser products on their own properties.
"The tools aim to increase demand for these products, making farmers more profitable and sustainable."
Explainer/fast fact and or further information:
- The Backing Business in the Bush Fund is a $50 million investment program supporting SMEs undertake projects in regional Queensland.
- The Backing Business in the Bush Fund is supporting SMEs in mostly traditional industries like agriculture, manufacturing, transport and mining equipment, technology and services (METS).
- Learn more about each of these projects and the Queensland Government's investment programs and support for business.
Successful fund applicants as of 27 September 2024
