A Pioneer Valley bush tucker restaurant will develop a new marketing strategy to attract more visitors to the region thanks to a Palaszczuk Government Business Boost grant.
Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said The Flackyard has received a $12,000 grant to help their business grow.
"These Business Boost grants are all about helping businesses improve their efficiency and productivity and can be used for things like website upgrades, strategic marketing, training and coaching and advisory services," Mrs Gilbert said.
"They are part of our Big Plans for Small Business grant programs, which also includes Business Basics and Business Growth Fund.
"The type of grants, business requirements and the application process are a direct result of feedback from the Small Business Roadshow which toured around Queensland earlier this year."
Owner-Directors Nikholas Flack and Emily Goss established The Flackyard just four months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and said the grant could not have come at a better time.
"We're passionate about using Australian bush tucker, sourcing native ingredients, supporting local farmers, growers and producers, and employing locals," they said.
"This grant will help us create a new 'Wider Whitsundays Package' to attract more visitors from the Mackay, Whitsundays and Isaac region, redevelop our website and online bookings, and lift our business profile.
"Our goal is to continue to building relationships and partnerships with local producers, Indigenous food and beverage suppliers and harvesters, and make business connections with other locally owned and operated establishments."
Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said backing small businesses was vital to the State's economic growth.
"This round of Business Boost gives 210 small businesses the opportunity to fast-track upgrades thanks to more than $2.6 million in Palaszczuk Government support," she said.
"Our strong health response has kept lockdowns short and sharp, our economy growing, and our businesses open and trading.
"But we know the impact of COVID-19 is being felt, which is why we've provided this support and why we've put backing small business at the heart of our $14.5 billion Economic Recovery Plan.
"Small businesses are the backbone of our local communities, and we want to support them, their families and their customers.
"That's why we've provided more than $470 million in grants to small businesses since March 2020, and there's more to come.
"We've supported small businesses with over $182 million in COVID-19 Adaption Grants, more than $275 million through jointly-funded COVID-19 Business Support Grants and $12.4 million through our Big Plans for Small Business grants so far.
"It's clear the Palaszczuk Government backs small business – and we always will."
