The State Government has come out spending today announcing the next phase of its economic recovery plan to back Queensland jobs, businesses and industries.

Under today’s announcement, there will be $100 million in support for struggling small businesses who will get another chance to apply for the COVID-19 Adaption Grants of up to $10,000 each through a second round of funding available from 1 July.

The first round of grants was snapped up within a matter of days.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a second round of the Small Business Grants would help more businesses survive and maintain and grow their staffing levels.

“In the second round, we are prioritising regional areas and allocating half of the funding to support small businesses in regional Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman said businesses should read the eligibility guidelines now to ensure they have all the documentation ready to submit their application next month.

“First round grants have been approved for businesses right across the state from the south-east corner to the Douglas Shire in the far north and west to Goondiwindi and Longreach,” Ms Fentiman said.

For more information visit www.business.qld.gov.au    

Construction and first homeowners boost

It’s also good news for first homeowners and the construction industry with a $267 million building stimulus announced.

The Government is re-affirming its commitment to the $15,000 first home-owner grants program and adding an additional $5,000 grant on top for people building a new home in a regional location, helping to encourage people to move to regional Queensland.

Additionally, the government has committed to a further $100 million Housing Construction Works for Tradies program with new social housing to be built across Queensland.

There is also $10 million for seniors and accessibility assistance to continue providing services for seniors and people with disabilities to conduct critical home maintenance and $1.175 million for regional training infrastructure to upgrade existing TAFE training campuses.

Securing airline routes into Queensland

The government has also pledged millions of dollars to secure new flights to Queensland with $10 million for interstate flights on top of the already announced $5 million for intrastate flights.

“The combined $15 million program will give even greater scope to negotiate with airlines to open up the state and bring more tourists to our regions,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Airports and aviation are crucial to our regional economies as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“More flights will help to further revive our tourism industry, support hundreds of thousands of jobs and pump millions of dollars into local businesses.”

National parks will also get $8.93 million under a works and jobs boost to provide visitor infrastructure upgrades and enhancements to re-energise nature-based tourism.

Other measures announced today include:

• $22.5 million package will help support the recovery of the arts and culture sector including $11.3 million to offset revenue losses in music and performing arts venues.
• a $12.5 million funding package for agribusiness and the food sector
• $10 million to promote and supercharge exploration for new economy minerals and support mine technology innovators to drive future mine jobs.

To find our more visit Unite and Recover for Queensland jobs.