The McGowan Government has announced a record $2 million in grants to support local businesses secure contract opportunities, more than doubling last year's funding and supporting the WA Recovery Plan initiatives.
Premier Mark McGowan and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt today announced four rounds of the Local Capability Fund for 2020-21, including grants of up to $100,000 for Aboriginal businesses.
Local Capability Fund rounds help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) improve their capability and competitiveness to supply goods, services and works to the State Government, major projects and other important markets.
The Premier and Minister made the announcement on the day of the Broome session of the WA Industry Link Regional Communication Forum series.
The forums, which began in Albany last month, are moving around the State informing SMEs about upcoming local opportunities in State Government contracts and taking feedback on the State Government's revised Western Australian Buy Local Policy 2020.
The four Local Capability Fund rounds announced by the State Government today are the:
- Aboriginal Business Round - businesses with majority Aboriginal ownership can receive up to $100,000 to improve their capability and competitiveness to supply goods, services and works;
- Major State Government Projects Round - up to $100,000 to help SMEs improve their capability and capacity to supply to major State Government civil construction and infrastructure projects;
- Supplying Key Private and Public Sector Markets Round - up to $100,000 to help SMEs that supply to priority market sectors to enhance their capacity, capability and competitiveness to supply to these markets; and
- National and International Standards Compliance Round - up to $20,000 to help SMEs with the costs of engaging external experts to carry out implementation and third party certification of national and international standards.
The Local Capability Fund can be used for expenses such as meeting essential pre-qualification requirements for supply-chain entry, buying and upgrading essential equipment, and engaging consultant expertise for advice on a range of matters including occupational health and safety, marketing, finance and cybersecurity.
The $2 million announced today builds on the $10 million allocated by the State Government in July for Local Capability Fund rounds to help WA's SMEs recover from COVID-19, with an emphasis on local Personal Protective Equipment manufacturing opportunities.
Visit the WA Industry Link portal for more information about the four rounds in addition to other contracting opportunities at http://industrylink.wa.gov.au/advisory-services/services-to-businesses-sub-contractors/local-capability-fund
Following the Broome session, there are 13 more Regional Communication Forums around the State - including Derby tomorrow (August 19), Geraldton on September 1, 2020 and Kununurra on September 24, 2020. Businesses can register for their local forum on the WA Industry Link Portal at http://industrylink.wa.gov.au/events
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"This record allocation for the annual Local Capability Fund rounds has been made so we can support more Western Australian businesses impacted and create jobs for Western Australians.
"It will provide opportunities for Western Australian businesses to bounce back from COVID-19, create jobs and diversify our economy.
"It will also help increase the number of State Government contracts awarded to Western Australian businesses.
"As we continue our recovery efforts, my Government will continue to work to ensure WA businesses and workers are in the box seat to benefit from State Government contracts.
"We are committed to supporting Western Australian businesses by creating opportunities to drive economic growth and jobs."
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt:
"The Aboriginal Business Round of the Local Capability Fund is a great way for SMEs run by Aboriginal people to secure the expertise and equipment that will help them when bidding for significant contracts.
"The grants of up to $100,000 available will be a significant support to these businesses to take them to the next level of competitiveness.
"I would encourage any eligible businesses to seize this opportunity to grow their operations, create jobs potentially for other Aboriginal people and be part of the diversification of the Western Australian economy."
