REDIS assistance for Margaret River surfboard factory

31/8/94

A Margaret River firm is to build a factory to make its patented plastic-based surfboards with the support of State Government funding.

Resurf Holdings is among six Western Australian businesses which will receive funding under the Regional Enterprise Development Initiative Scheme (REDIS). They will receive grants through their local Business Enterprise Centre.

The grants total $188,605 and it is estimated that 29 full-time jobs and 12 part-time jobs will be created as a result of the scheme.

"The REDIS scheme was established to help businesses that undertake to increase investment and employment at a local level," said Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan.

"Grants were made for up to 15 per cent of the total funds required for developing the business proposal in regional WA.

"The proposals were for the establishment of a new business or for existing businesses that were looking to expand or diversify."

Resurf Holdings will receive a grant for $23,150.  This will enable them to produce patented plastic based surfboards.   The venture also aims to provide two full-time jobs and two part-time jobs.

Mr Cowan said the number and size of the business proposals put to REDIS for grants indicated a growing confidence in rural WA.  This confidence had been assisted and promoted by the REDIS scheme.

Four rounds of grants under the REDIS scheme have now been announced and the scheme has helped a big number of companies across regional WA.

The scheme is now being reviewed to find a way of better targeting businesses in country areas to help generate rural economies.

Media contact:  Peter Jackson 222 9595