The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to ensure regional communities thrive, with $50 million in grants becoming available for initiatives that promote regional economic development and support employment creation and retention.
Businesses, consortiums, local governments, associations, Aboriginal corporations, not for profits and other eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for a share of the $50 million Community Investment Program, delivered by the NSW Government’s $400 million Regional Development Trust.
Grants of between $500,000 and $5 million will be available for infrastructure projects and capital investments to create jobs and economic opportunities.
Between $250,000 and $1 million will be available for regional programs to improve service delivery and community connection and capacity building.
This is the second round of funding to be released from the NSW Government’s $400 million Regional Development Trust, this targeted investment has been guided by the Regional Development Advisory Council and informed by several roundtables with rural communities hosted by the Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty.
Projects funded under this round will align with the Regional Development Trust’s key focus areas of:
- Sustainable regional industries
- Aboriginal economic development and enterprise
- Community connection and capacity building
- Improving regional service delivery
This funding follows the NSW Government recently passing an update to the Regional Development Act, to ensure it reflects the needs of modern rural and regional NSW, expanding investment opportunities and enshrining integrity in the system.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will host community information sessions, inviting eligible applicants to learn about the program, how to apply, and what projects and initiatives are eligible for targeted investment.
Applications open today, 6 December 2024, and close at 5pm on Thursday, 20 February 2024.
For more information: nsw.gov.au/regionaldevelopmenttrust
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
“This latest initiative under the Regional Development Trust makes more funding available for regional and rural communities and will build on the Minns Labor Government’s positive track record in providing strategic investment for local projects that deliver real change in a timely manner.
“I have listened to people and businesses from around regional NSW, and so we are responding accordingly with a funding program that enables applicants to apply for investment for projects that are ready to go.
“I encourage businesses, consortiums and organisations to apply for this funding if you have a good idea on how to expand economic activity in a community or region.
“This funding will kick-start productive projects and initiatives across regional NSW, supporting the creation of needed infrastructure, new economies and also supporting the attraction of key workers to the regions.”