Grants up to $50,000 to support small businesses in the Shire
Small Business Forum
The Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer, member for Cook Cynthia Lui MP and local business owners met last week at a forum to discuss the opportunities for funding and growth of the small businesses in our region.
The Queensland government opened the fourth round of Business Growth Fund for small and medium sized businesses, with grants up to $50,000. This should help the businesses accelerate growth and create jobs. The applications to submit will open on 31 May 2022.
This is the fourth round of Business Growth Fund grants that help high-growth small and medium-sized businesses to buy highly specialised equipment to accelerate growth.
Small businesses and their growth are front and centre of the Queensland Government’s Economic Recovery Plan.
Cynthia Lui MP, who co-hosted the forum, said that hearing firsthand from locals provides greater insight and understanding of the unique challenges faced by small business owners in our region. “Small businesses are the backbone of communities in our region,” she said.
"We are currently experiencing the lowest rate of unemployment in 18 years. The number one issue facing Queensland is a workforce shortage. Over 280,000 new jobs will be created by 2025. This will require everyone to think outside the box on how to address this shortage."
This is the second year of the Queensland Government’s Small Business Friendly Charter. In the Cook Electorate, Mareeba, Cook and Douglas Shire Councils signed the charter to demonstrate their commitment to supporting small business in their communities and help to reduce red tape making it easier for businesses to operate.
Queensland Small Business Month
This month is also Queensland Small Business Month that celebrates the vital contribution small businesses make in driving our economy, creating local jobs and building strong communities.
The Queensland Small Business month (QSBM 2022) will help small businesses thrive as they are the moving force and important contributors to our economy.
“This is the second small business forum I have held in the Douglas Shire,” Ms Lui said. “The Forum provided local small business owners the opportunity to raise concerns, share information and learn about the Queensland Government’s grants and incentives designed to support them.”
You can check your eligibility to apply for a grant with the local DEST office or call the Small Business Hotline on 1300 654 687.