• Applications for round 2 of the Small Business
  Development and Diversification Grants has opened
• $7.8 million of funding is available for
  eligible businesses affected by the Native Forest Transition (NFT)
• Grants are used to help businesses grow,
  diversify and to create jobs

Eligible small businesses
can now apply for a Small Business Development and Diversification Grant (SBDD)
with the second round of funding now open.

Businesses transitioning away
from the commercial native forest industry can apply for grants of up to
$400,000.

$7.8 million is available
for businesses in Western Australia which can demonstrate a minimum 50 per cent
reliance on the commercial native forest logging industry to transition their
activities and protect or create jobs.

The previous round of
SBDD grants saw 20 businesses across Perth and the South West region approved
for a total of $7.2 million.

The decision has
preserved approximately 400,000 additional hectares of karri, jarrah and wandoo
(hardwood) forests, which ensures nearly two million hectares will be protected
into the future.

For more information head
to Native
Forest Transition: Small Business Development and Diversification
grants (www.wa.gov.au)

Comments attributed to Forestry; Small
Business Minister Jackie Jarvis:

“The Small Business
Development and Diversification Grants are part of the State Government’s $80 million Native Forest
Transition Plan, which aims to support businesses most affected by the
decision.

“I encourage any eligible
businesses to apply to take advantage of what the SBDD can offer for them and
their employees.”

Comments attributed to
Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:

“The SBDD fund presents an
exciting opportunity for local businesses to grow and diversify as commercial
native logging comes to an end.

“We want to ensure our
South West remains a thriving place for people to live, work, play and visit.”