More than 400 jobs will be created under the North West and Northern Tasmania Innovation and Investment Fund, with the announcement of the 36 successful projects by the Prime Minister, Premier of Tasmania and Federal Innovation Minister.

The joint $17 million government grant initiative of the Australia and Tasmanian Governments was launched in response to factory closures in the region and to provide families and communities with sustainable jobs and economic stability.

In total, the 36 projects will result in an additional $34 million investment in the region and will create high-wage, high-skill jobs in a diverse range of industries, including agriculture, meat processing, manufacturing, transport, construction, biotechnology and printing.

The strong response from local businesses, which had to match government  grant, is a measure of the confidence in this region.

Government grants ranged from $50,000 to over $2 million. The successful projects were:

1. Greenham Tasmania $1,133,750 – Smithton Expansion Project- expansion of Smithton meat processing facility to increase capacity by 40%
2. Charlton Farm Produce $225,050 – Business expansion – new onion grading and packing lines development
3. NUBCO $67,000 – Civil Construction – Reinforcing Manufacturing and Delivery Facility
4. Haywards Steel Fabrication and Construction $307,400   – Extension of existing Wynyard facility to increase capability and capacity, purchase new manufacturing technology and lifting equipment
5. Petuna $881,105 – Upgrade of salmon processing facility and purchase of equipment to increase yield and quality of product
6. Harvest Moon $2,056,600 – A new grading and packing facility to increase fresh market broccoli and bean production in NW Tasmania
7. Jebsens Logistics Services $50,000 – A new Grain Container Transfer Station on Burnie wharf to facilitate bulk storage and transport
8. Tamar Valley Dairy $600,000 – Tamar Valley Dairy Expansion & Upgrade Project
9. TasSpan $152,500 – Acquisition of a specialised/innovative pile driving machine with small environmental footprint to increase the scope and size of the projects TasSpan can undertake
10. Highco Australia $116,012 – Construct a purpose built manufacturing facility for ice replacement product Thermoguard
11. Performance Cutting Supplies $140,000 – A new warehouse and manufacturing facility expansion to expand business that produces innovative sludge removal systems for the mining industry
12. Premium Fresh Tasmania $260,000 – New packing and storage equipment to facilitate the export of echalions to Europe
13. Allcover Products $200,375 – Specialised manufacturing equipment to meet demand for mining equipment and to develop a new product range
14. Southern Prospect $1,523,279 – New manufacturing facility to allow expansion of existing manufacturing and service business and to provide scope for new product development
15. Nichols Poultry $700,000 – Business expansion incorporating increased processing area to meet rising poultry product demand including export ready status
16. Sharman’s Butchery $63,272 – Increase capacity and efficiency of small goods production and sales through the development and installation of new freezer room facilities, smoking oven and meat slicer.
17. Penguin Composites $1,275,468 – Workshop expansion to allow for increased production of composite products and also expanded product range
18. Pandani Select Foods and Hygienic Butchery $127,000   – Purchase of specialised machinery to enable the manufacture of an expanded premium meat product
19. S.E.R.S Sheetmetal Works $1,754,356 – An expanded workshop and powdercoating facility to meet needs of global supply chain
20. Island Block & Paving $187,500 – A new etching machine and vertical retaining wall system to expand product range
21. Australian Therapeutic Proteins $524,085 – Expansion of serum production and processing facilities
22. VEC Civil Engineering $1,093,827 – Expansion and development of the company’s support services in Ulverstone – precast yard and piling
23. Confidyne $75,000 – Completion of performance vehicle engine testing facility
24. Norfolk Blinds $212,139 – Infrastructure to allow the manufacture of DNV approved marine blinds
25. Megavar $171,886 – New specialist equipment for the provision of innovative services to the power industry
26. Tyco Flow Control Pacific $329,400 – Expansion of renewable energy hydro manufacturing facility
27. Sturdybilt Agencies $135,000 – Factory extension and installation of powder coating equipment
28. Stornaway $145,000 – New bagged stone and sand product expansion
29. Sunrise Bakery $60,000 – Equipment upgrades to facilitate move into mainland and export markets and new product range for major customer
30. Hivotech $235,000 – Workshop expansion to allow for increased production of safety equipment for the high voltage industry
31. Tasmanian Quality Meats $500,000 – Expansion of current operations to include a boning room
32. Cloverlea Nursery $102,430 – Design and construct a contemporary, large-scale, commercial plant propagation facility
33. Selborne Biological Services Australia $431,410 – Upgrade of Longford lipoprotein production facility using Smithton blood by-product. Increasing capacity and flexibility for new customer and future sales.
34. Print Domain & The Circular Head Chronicle $87,845 – Purchase latest digital technology digital printing equipment to establish a digital printing branch in NW Tasmania that will service digital print clients around Australia
35. Badenach Enterprises $97,811 – A mould to build 18 metre displacement fishing vessels
36. West Winds $50,000 – Purchase and installation of additional quail farming infrastructure to increase the capacity and efficiency of existing West Winds operations

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The Australian and Tasmanian Governments will deliver long term, sustainable employment with a $20 million package to stimulate innovation, investment and jobs in North West and Northern Tasmania.

Announced today by Senator Kim Carr, Federal Innovation Minister, and David Bartlett, Premier of Tasmania, the package will promote economic development and support jobs in the region.

“We are very disappointed by Tas Paper’s decision to close its paper mills at Wesley Vale by March 2010 and the part closure of Burnie,” Senator Carr said.

“This comes on top of the announcement that McCain will close its vegetable processing plant in Smithton next year, and adds to the uncertainty and pain for thousands of families.

“Our first thoughts go to the workers, their families and communities.”

Mr Bartlett said the Government would engage with the North-West community to find the best ways to keep skilled workers on the Coast.

“We will work with stakeholders including councils, community groups and unions to see this through.

“We want to keep families and communities together and that will be a firm focus of our initiatives.

“People must be the priority in dealing with this issue.”

Senator Carr said: “The aim of the package is to stimulate investment, create jobs and diversify the economy in the North West and northern Tasmania.

“$12.5 million has been provided by the Commonwealth, $7.5 million by the State Government.”

The assistance will be delivered through two initiatives: the North West and Northern Tasmania Investment and Innovation Fund (NWNTIIF) and the Regional Assistance Program – Tasmania (RAP-Tas).

“We will welcome good quality investment proposals that will stimulate and diversify industry in the local region and create sustainable jobs,” Senator Carr said.

“Applications which advocate the introduction of new innovations and technology and/or emerging industries will be particularly favoured.

“This merit-based grants program will provide financial support for a range of business investment initiatives.”

The $17 million North West and Northern Tasmania Investment and Innovation Fund will operate until June 2011.

Mr Bartlett said: “The $3 million Regional Assistance Program – Tasmania assists small to medium businesses to undertake projects which will stimulate employment opportunities.

“It includes $500,000 specifically for reskilling redundant workers.”

The North West and Northern Tasmania Innovation and Investment Fund will be administered by AusIndustry in the Commonwealth Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research and Regional Assistance Program – Tasmania  will be administered by the Tasmanian Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts.

Senator Carr paid tribute to the Federal member for Braddon Sid Sidebottom for his tenacity in fighting for the package to support the region.

Senator Carr said that he had worked closely with fellow Ministers, Senator Mark Arbib, Minister for Employment Participation; Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Michael Aird, Minister for Economic Development in developing a coordinated response to yesterday’s announcement.