New grant program's $42,000 boost for business

Noosa Council has approved $42,000 in grant funding to five successful applicants in the first round of its new Economic Development Grants Program. 

“This is a new initiative for Noosa Council,” Mayor Tony Wellington said.

“We haven’t offered economic development funding through a grants process previously. This is about meeting Council’s clear aim, as identified in our Local Economic Plan, of broadening the local economy.”

Council’s new Economic Development Manager, Anthony Dow, said, “The successful applications all have the potential to have broad, long-term positive impact. They range from stimuli for micro-businesses to a feasibility study into agricultural pursuits. There is even a project to generate new business opportunities utilising discarded hard waste that would otherwise end up in landfill.

“Council’s new Economic Development Grants are available to local business associations and not-for-profit groups for projects that help encourage business innovation, aid business collaboration and help position Noosa as a preferred location for business activities.

“The broad economic potential for the Shire is reflected in the wide range of responses received in this first round. There are so many avenues to explore as we look to marry Noosa’s high-profile reputation with business and marketing needs. On the back of a strong tourism market, these are very exciting times for our local economy,” Anthony Dow concluded.

For more information about Noosa Council’s Economic Development Grant process, email Council's Economic Development team.

20 January 2017