The sixth round of the Red Grant programme awarded 20 Queensland agribusinesses up to A$200,000
Vegetable grower Marcon Family Farms is set to expand its greenhouse operations after it was one of 20 Queensland agribusinesses to receive funding from the latest round of the state government’s Rural Economic Development (Red) Grants.
The sixth round of applicants received up to A$200,000 (totaling A$3.7m) to complete a diverse range of projects such as the construction of greenhouses, glasshouses, fruit packing facilities and seafood processing areas.
“We were over the moon to find out our application for a Rural Economic Development Grant had been successful, as we knew it was such a huge deal,” said Danielle Marcon of the experience. “We’ve never applied for anything like this before, so we were very excited to be successful as first-time applicants.”
The Bundaberg-based grower produces various vegetables including tomatoes, eggplants and capsicums.
“The grant allows us to expand our greenhouse operations in Bundaberg. We currently have three greenhouses and one glasshouse and with the funding, we will be adding one more greenhouse to our family farm,” Marcon said.
“The expansion will help us meet the growing demand for our premium fresh produce from consumers all over Australia.”
The Red Grants programme has provided a total of A$20m in funding over six years, supporting 100 successful regional agribusiness projects worth more than A$65.4m.
Queensland minister for agricultural industry development and fisheries and minister for rural communities Mark Furner said he was pleased to see the latest round of Red Grants supporting so many agribusinesses throughout the state.
“From Mareeba in the Far North to Chinchilla on the Western Downs, the local economies of rural and regional communities will see major benefits from these projects,” he said.
It’s estimated the programme has created more than 3,000 new direct and indirect jobs.
“Once completed, [the greenhouse project] will create eight to ten full time equivalent jobs, on top of employing local trades companies during the construction of the greenhouse, which will bring outsiders to the region,” Marcon said.
Expressions of interest for the seventh round of the Red Grant is now open with applications closing on 22 November 2024. Round seven will include a focus on supporting Indigenous-owned agribusinesses and projects that support low-emissions agriculture.
