The WA Government has allocated $10.2 million towards projects which will supercharge food and beverage manufacturing and value-adding in Western Australia, and create more than 600 local jobs.
Funding has been awarded to 18 agrifood businesses in metropolitan and regional areas to support capital expansion, relocation or new projects to grow local processing through the Value Add Investment Grants program.
An estimated 609 new jobs are set to be created across a range of industries including horticulture, seafood, beverages, meat and livestock, and premium food products.
The funding is expected to generate more than $132 million in private sector investment through applicants’ matched co-contributions.
Bunbury-based sheepmeat and beef processor V&V Walsh plans to build a state-of-the-art cold store facility to boost production capacity, fulfil demand in Australian and international markets and create an estimated 134 jobs.
The program is part of the $16.7 million Food and Beverage Fund, a four-year initiative supported through the WA Government’s WA Recovery Plan to stimulate jobs in food and beverage businesses.
The grants program is delivered through the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Source: WA Government