Grants from the State Government inject $600,000 into Mid West businesses to help growth and employment

A $600,000 State Government grant will be shared between three local businesses, as a Geraldton-based company has been awarded the contract to build a new Fisheries patrol vessel. Regional Development Minister Don Punch was in Geraldton on Wednesday to present grants to the three businesses under the Regional Economic Development scheme. Alongside the grants, Geraldton-based company Dongara Marine was announced as the builder of the new Fisheries patrol vessel. Dongara Marine general manager Rohan Warr said: “It’ll be the biggest job we’ve undertaken and certainly the most technically advanced one, but it’s just so good for local skills and local businesses”. The patrol vessel is a $13 million boat which will be 24m in length. Construction is due to start next month and is expected to be completed in 12 to 18 months. Dongara Marine will also receive a $249,890 RED grant to go towards a project to enhance lifting capability for the boat building business, helping them buy two new cranes. Mr Warr said one of the biggest bonuses from the grant was being able to support critical infrastructure on a local scale. “It allows us to keep investing in the region,” he said. Mr Warr said between the grant and building the new Fisheries vessel, the business would be able to bring in at least three new apprentices and additional tradesmen to complete the jobs. “We import a large skilled workforce from overseas which is really good for the business and community. It adds to the diversity of the business — they bring skills and culture in, It helps with communication,” he said. Abrolhos Island Oysters was given $214,645 to assist them in developing their business which will support the growth of the WA oyster industry. Co-director Justin MacDonald said the grant was going to help the business streamline their operation. It will assist with the completion of its farming and processing facilities before the 2024-25 harvest season kicks off later this month. Dongara-based distilling company Illegal Tender Rum Co. received $141,510 to go towards their sustainable harvest initiative, which transforms fruit which would usually be sent to landfill into beverages Illegal Tender Rum Co managing director Codie Palmer said: “As a small business you can’t put into words the gratification from receiving something like this.” “The funds are going to propel us into a whole new aspect. There’s a lot of things we wouldn’t have been able to afford to do without this grant.” On Tuesday, Mr Punch was in the Murchison to help officially open a new visitor hub at Wooleen Station, which was supported by a $100,000 RED grant. The owners refurbished the 100-year-old shearer’s shed kitchen, transforming it into a reception area, cafe and art studio. The RED grants program, currently in its sixth round, is a Cook Government initiative investing $50.85 million over nine years towards locally driven projects to stimulate economic growth in the regions.