Small and medium food and beverage manufacturers in the Toowoomba Region can now apply for a grant of up to $25,000 each to save money on energy bills, improve energy efficiency and adopt new energy technologies under the latest $19.9 million round of the Energy Efficient Communities (EEC) program.
The grants can be used to replace existing equipment with more energy-efficient models, carry out energy audits, or improve energy monitoring and management.
Federal Member for Groom Garth Hamilton said the funding will help manufacturing businesses lower their power bills and emissions.
The food and beverage manufacturing industry is the largest manufacturing sector in Australia, contributing around $22.4 billion to the economy. The Australian Government is supporting this vital sector of the economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Lowering business energy emissions is an essential component of securing Australia’s carbon-neutral future,” Mr Hamilton said.
“I look forward to seeing local businesses benefiting from the Morrison’s Government commitment to back business as part of our journey to becoming carbon neutral”
Assistant Minister to the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Tim Wilson said the program targets food and beverage manufacturers, which include some of the most energy-intensive small and medium businesses in Australia.
“It’s because they’re the engine room of the economy employing 1 in 4 manufacturing workers, that the Morrison Government is backing food and beverage manufacturers to be competitive through grants to lower their power costs and slash emissions as part of the solution to Australia’s carbon-neutral future,” Assistant Minister Wilson said.
“Reducing needless energy consumption also cuts emissions and is at the heart of the Morrison Government’s focus on technology, not taxes, because it boosts competitiveness, creates new jobs and reduces Australia’s environmental footprint.”
Applications close on 18 February 2022 or earlier if funding is exhausted prior.
More information, grant guidelines and application forms are available at www.business.gov.au/EECFB or telephone on 13 28 46.
