The McGowan Government has opened a new grant funding program for industry-led projects capable of growing and diversifying the Collie economy.
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan visited Collie on Friday to announce applications were open for the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund, with grants of up to $2 million available.
“We have been working over the last 18 months to get a whole variety of industries interested … in Collie and the immediate surrounds,” Ms MacTiernan said.
“Now we’ve got $18 million on the table for those companies to come forward ... for matching grants of up to $2 million to either do complex feasibility studies about the establishment of new industries or using that for direct capital funding.”
Ms MacTiernan said the panel assessing the applications would be looking for proposals that create jobs for Collie.
“What is needed is jobs that will employ people,” she said.
“We are very conscious that we need to be creating new employment opportunities here in Collie (and) we need to grow the confidence of people in Collie that this place has a long-term future.
“So we will be looking very much at propositions that will employ people in Collie and give them the confidence they need to stay in this community.”
Ms MacTiernan also announced the latest round of grant funding provided under the Collie Futures Small Grants program, with three projects sharing $220,000 in funding.
Collie River Valley Marketing received $70,000 towards a tourism feasibility study for Black Diamond, the Leschenault Catchment Council received $75,000 to continue its Noongar landcare employment program and $75,000 was put towards a demonstration marron farm.
Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray said he was pleased to see the variety of projects receiving grant funding.
“We’ve always said that Collie has to diversify its economic base and part of these grants are encouraging people to do that,” he said.
Mr Murray said the important feature of all the small grant recipients was their potential to create jobs for Collie.
“They’re all job creators. If you think about Black Diamond and if we get something up over there, then we’ll need a ranger and we’ll need people to service the area,” he said.
“And if people camping at Black Diamond are coming to Collie and buy one pie, then we’re one pie in front.”
For more information about Collie Futures grant funding, visit swdc.wa.gov.au.
