- Four new small grant recipients announced, as part of the Cook Government's plan to diversify the Collie economy
- Local businesses to share in $373,767 funding, through the Collie Futures Small Grants Program
- Hotel refurbishment, NDIS hub, drone mapping service and smallgoods expansion among successful projects
A much-needed short-stay accommodation project in Collie is among three local businesses sharing in $373,767 funding, supported through the Cook Government's Collie Futures Small Grants Program.
Regional Development Minister Don Punch today announced $100,000 towards upgrading 10 rooms at the Victoria Hotel that have not been used since 2018 to cater for rising demand for accommodation in the South West town.
The project, which creates a new business stream for the hotel, will also involve the modernisation of a family unit incorporating a kitchen, and the upgrade of an onsite communal laundry.
Significant investment in new attractions and experiences, such as the Wellington Dam mural, has seen increased visitation to Collie, with the benefits flowing to local businesses.
Funding through the Collie Futures Fund is supporting various projects that will diversify and complement local business and industry, supporting local jobs.
In a further commitment to setting up Collie for a strong future, the Cook Government has also allocated $99,592 to WA South West Plan Managers to develop a new hub in Collie for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants and providers in the South West.
The organisation has been operating as NDIS plan managers for three-and-a-half years and currently manage 525 plans across the State, with 213 NDIS participants already registered in Collie.
The funding will be used to refurbish an existing commercial premise to increase office space and create additional meeting and training rooms.
The new office space will be used to accommodate additional staff and trainees, whilst the meeting and training rooms will be offered to external NDIS service providers. By utilising the hub, it's envisaged individual participant transport costs will be greatly reduced, enabling increased utilisation of NDIS services in the area.
Additionally, $87,675 funding for Drone Elevation will see a new start-up offer mapping services for the region and a $86,500 grant for Spry's Meat Market will enable the established business to expand its product offering through the onsite production of smallgoods.
The Collie Futures Small Grants Program forms part of the wider Collie Futures Fund. The Fund is designed to assist Collie to transition from coal and build a more diverse economy by stimulating local employment across a greater range of industries.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"The Cook Government is committed to supporting new and existing businesses to diversify, expand and create new jobs for Collie.
"It's great to see the community taking up the opportunities being offered to grow a business or expand existing business operations.
"This grants program is designed to support business and not-for-profit plans that will drive economic impact.
"If you are interested in applying, I encourage you to get in contact with the team at the South West Development Commission."
As stated by Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns:
"The latest funding announcements provide another welcome boost to Collie, with this grants program continuing to deliver the support needed for local business to flourish during the transition.
"It's exciting seeing business plans being put into action, creating opportunities for local residents. We're seeing the great outcomes from previous grant recipients."
