One of Queensland's leading suppliers for herb and vegetable seedlings will expand their business and meet consumer demand with a Rural Economic Development (RED) Grant of up to $200,000.
Zoom Garden in Burpengary has seen a 30% increase in demand for the seedling products, inspiring the need for a new specialised greenhouse.
Member for Kurwongbah Shane King says the project will create good jobs and economic growth in the Moreton region.
"This project will create up to 18 full-time, sustainable employment opportunities in the Moreton community," Mr King said.
"Economic value will be added both directly and indirectly as local employees contribute to the local economy through food, accommodation, entertainment and general living expenses."
Chief Executive Officer of Zoom Garden, Alistair Pritchard says the greenhouse will not only allow the business to meet consumer demand but also create a more sustainable product.
"The project was developed out of the need to improve capacity to meet current and future demand of fresh herbs and vegetables, which has increased 30% since the start of the pandemic," he said.
"The greenhouse will also allow us to isolate the herb and vegetable seedlings from the rest of our business and we can insect-proof the facility to cease the use of pesticides and potential spray drift from other chemicals."
"This results in a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable product for our customers, which is consistent with consumer trends on food safety. It would also allow the option of organic production should consumer demand cater for it," he adds.
Zoom Garden is one of 16 businesses approved in the fourth round of the RED Grants program with total funding of just over $3 million. Overall, these 16 projects are expected to create more than 217 direct long-term jobs across regional Queensland.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said initial three rounds of the RED Grants program have seen funding of $10 million over three years to support more than 30 projects which have created 1,800 jobs across regional Queensland.
"The Palaszczuk Government has continued its investment with a further $6.6 million to be delivered in two rounds over the next two years to generate even more jobs, expand agricultural supply chains and provide significant economic benefit to rural areas," Mr Furner said.
