Regional jobs boost local businesses

24th January 2023

REGIONAL JOB CREATION FUND BACK TO BOOST LOCAL BUSINESSES

Businesses in the Tamworth electorate are being encouraged to expand thanks to the NSW Nationals in Government’s $100 million Regional Job Creation Fund Round Three that aims to increase job opportunities while building diversity and resilience in local businesses.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson welcomed the return of the fund which opens for Expressions of Interest (EOI) tomorrow, Friday the 13th of January and gives local businesses an opportunity to tap into a co-funding arrangement with the NSW Government to expand.

“We have already seen important the Regional Job Creation Fund can be to businesses in our region with fantastic local businesses like Obieco and Many Fabrication and Engineering expanding on the back of successful grant applications,” Mr Anderson said.

“Manufacturing and agriculture make a significant contribution to our economy and this fund has proven to boost those sectors while providing opportunities to young apprentices and job seekers.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said previous rounds of the Regional Job Creation Fund provided $140 million to close to 200 regional projects, enabling more than $360 million of private investment into regional NSW and creating 6,500 new jobs in key industries.

“We’ve already seen the difference this fund is making to regional businesses right across the State – and now we want to build on that by opening Expressions of Interest (EOI) for our next round of funding.

“This Fund is doing exactly what it was designed to do – creating jobs in regional NSW that support the economic growth of our regions, and ensure business confidence from Bourke to Byron Bay.”

Eligible businesses can apply for grants of between $100,000 and $10 million for projects such as replacing plant equipment, upgrading technology and ensuring  businesses that might otherwise have to relocate can remain operational in regional areas.

Expressions of Interest for Round Three of the Regional Job Creation Fund open on Friday, 13 January 2023 and close 5pm Monday, 6 March 2023. Successful EOI applicants will be invited to submit detailed applications from May 2023.

For further information about the Regional Job Creation Fund, including program guidelines and eligibility criteria, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/RJCF.