Applications for the New Industry Development Grants program open on 29 May 2023 and will close midday Monday, 4 September 2023.
Programs
The Industry and Community Development Programs include:
- $15 million Small Business Development and Diversification program
- $4 million Community Small Grants Fund
- $10 million New Industry Development Grants program
- $1 million Closure of Impacted Businesses program
New Industry Development Grants program opens
Funding of up to $10 million is available to attract new industries and support expansion of new businesses in the South West timber regions. Applications for this grant open on 29 May 2023 and will close midday Monday, 4 September 2023.
About the programs
The WA Government initially announced a $50 million Native Forest Transition Plan.
Further consultation identified a need for a third pillar to support industry and community development. As a result, an additional $30 million was committed, making it an $80 million plan.
The extra Industry and Community Development Programs grants will help small businesses linked to the native forestry industry to remain open, and invest in job creation through diversification, expansion and innovation.
The programs were developed in consultation with the Native Forestry Transition Group, the Industry and Community Development Sub-group, local government authorities, the Forest Industries Federation of Western Australia, the Australian Workers' Union, and Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
The WA Government has also invested a record $350 million in new softwood plantations across the South West, which will create and support WA forestry jobs.
Additional industry development assistance
There are a range of existing grant programs available to support industry to establish and grow in Western Australia and specifically in the South West region.
JTSI WA Industry Grants Register provides an overview of industry grants.
South West Development Commission has information on regional development and a federal grant finder.
