Energising Enterprise lands in Gunnedah
THE Federal Electorate of Parkes and State Electorate of Tamworth have secured much-needed funding under the latest round of the Energise Enterprise program.
Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton and State Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson said this vital support will help local organisations invest in new opportunities and stimulate jobs growth.
“This federally funded program, delivered in partnership with New South Wales, is assisting communities impacted by water buybacks and helping to diversify their economies and transition to other non-irrigated industries,” Mr Coulton said.
Mr Coulton said the Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been awarded $25,000 for the Bridging the Gap project.
“This project involves identifying organisations with potential to increase purchases and sales within the Gunnedah region,” Mr Coulton said.
(L-R) Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, President of the Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry Michael Broekman and State Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson
“Consultations with relevant large organisations will take place to identify tendering requirements. After this process three workshops will take place to raise awareness of new market opportunities and strategies to extend business capability.”
Mr Anderson congratulated Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry and highlighted the economic benefits of this project for Gunnedah.
“I want to congratulate the successful applicant, I know first-hand how hard our local businesses and community groups have worked to secure their respective funding,” Mr Anderson said.
“This project will bring significant economic benefits to the region, which will help ensure we have a thriving local economy for years to come.”
Federal Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash said that the Coalition Government was committed to basin communities doing it tough as a result of the Murray Darling Basin Plan and the Murray-Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Program, as well as the cap on water buybacks, represents this strong commitment.
“As a Minister who is based in the Basin, I understand just how vital it is to protect both the economic and social interests of Basin communities,” Ms Nash said.
“The Coalition is committed to investing in projects like this that will diversify and strengthen the local economy.”
New South Wales Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Development, Skills and Small Business, John Barilaro, said the Energise Enterprise fund has been designed specifically to help regional communities create local jobs and to find new ways of investing and doing business.
“This funding provides support which will ensure the future of local regional communities, where our spouses have a place to work, our children can attend a good school and where the local grocer will still greet us with a smile when we do our weekly shop,” said Mr Barilaro.
“Many projects already funded from previous rounds of the Murray Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Program are delivering great results for local communities, and I congratulate the recipients on the hard work they continue to put in to secure this funding.”
Media Release: January 16, 2016