Industry, private investments and businesses that can create more jobs and contribute to Mandurah's economic agenda are being encouraged to apply for funding through an exciting new grants program opening from today.
The new Restart Mandurah Now - Industry and Business Incentive Scheme, funded through the $5 million Restart Mandurah package, aims to entice businesses and industry to mobilise and expand in Mandurah to help the City's struggling economy.
The City of Mandurah is committing $1m over two years to attract and boost private investment to deliver projects with economic benefits to the local community.
The City is specifically seeking initiatives that support local job creation, industry diversification and business sustainability.
Mayor Rhys Williams said the new scheme focused on one of the community's biggest priorities - the economy, and was another way the City was helping to restart Mandurah from the impacts of COVID-19.
"Our local economy has felt the full brunt of the fallout from the pandemic, and we know there are many businesses doing it tough at the moment," Mayor Williams said.
"The Restart Mandurah business grants program focuses our efforts on our economic recovery which is key in plans to Restart and Transform Mandurah for our future.
"We know that businesses play a crucial and transformative role in building thriving communities and local job prospects. We want to attract investment from various sized businesses to help deliver our economic agenda for Mandurah and the city centre, which is to build business sustainability, resilience and capacity to make our future the best it can be.
"We already have exciting works underway with the Mandurah Waterfront project and the first stages of our Transform Mandurah vision, so this presents a unique chance to proactively promote investment opportunities that build a better Mandurah and help us achieve our goals."
The Restart Mandurah Now - Industry and Business Incentive Scheme has three funding streams:
Ready Now - Business Capability Fund:
Applications will be open for grants up to $15,000 by Wednesday, October 14 and is aimed at building the capability of local businesses to work with the City of Mandurah as a supplier.
Grow Now and Invest Now - Investment Attraction Program:
This fund is aimed at projects that attract beneficial industry and business opportunities to Mandurah and increase the number of private projects that provide a diversity of local employment, industries and enterprise.
Activate Now - City Centre Business Incentive Program:
This fund seeks to increase investment by business in City Centre public and private spaces, and improve the quality and scale of unique activities and products that increase foot traffic and add vibrancy to the City Centre during the day and night. Grants up to $15,000 are available for projects that support the growth of local businesses and improve City Centre experiences for visitors and residents alike.
All grants require up to 50 percent matched funding by the applicant, which demonstrates the businesses commitment to the project, event or activity.
Applications for the 2020/21 financial year must be submitted by March 31, 2021.
The overall Restart Mandurah Now program is funded through the City's Restart Mandurah Fund ($350,000pa for two years) and $150,000pa from already budgeted City Centre business-led partnership project funds.
Applications are open from October 9.
For more information go to mandurah.wa.gov.au/business/business-training-and-support/economic-grants.
