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Fund tackles key growth areas

3 February 2009

Funding has been announced for four projects to support long-term sustainability and growth of regional economies.

Minister for Regional Development Rory McEwen says grants totalling $320,000 from the Regional Projects Fund were awarded to:

  • Adelaide Hills Regional Development Board - $100,000 to employ a project officer to establish an 'investment desk' to attract industry and investment to the region by developing a regional investment prospectus and establishing and promoting an investment opportunities register.
  • Kangaroo Island Development Board - $90,000 to support a micro-climate mapping project on Kangaroo Island. Soil, rainfall and water measurements will be taken on nine properties to help inform plans to diversify KI's agricultural industry base.
  • Whyalla Economic Development Board - $65,000 to establish 'Settling our Future', a program to help new arrivals settle in the city and ensure they become long-term residents and active participants in the community.
  • Northern Regional Development Board - $65,000 towards facilitating the delivery of specific business advisory and business development programs to small and medium businesses within five regional development board regions. The project includes a range of workshops and follow-up one-on-one mentoring for selected businesses.

Mr McEwen says the Regional Project Fund supports the growth and sustainability of regional areas through allocations to specific projects by regional development boards that will benefit regional communities and their economies.

"This investment in our State's regional economy will leverage $730,000 in total funds and reflects the diversity of the State's priorities and the challenges facing regional South Australia," he says.

"Each of these projects is aligned with the plans of the individual regions, but with the State Government's aims for the growth and prosperity of the South Australian economy."

South Australia's Regional Development Board Program is supported and funded by the State Government, through the Department of Trade and Economic Development's Office of Regional Affairs, in partnership with local government councils.