Collie Futures Fund Overview

The Government of WA has established the Collie Futures Fund, a $20 million initiative to support the growth of jobs for the Collie region. This fund supports the development and diversification of the local economy by supporting job and industry diversification in the following growth sectors:

• Aged and health care
• Agribusiness
• Coal related industries
• Energy
• Forest products
• Manufacturing and professional services
• Mineral processing
• Tourism
• Other new and emerging industries

Do you have a project that needs commercialisation and implementation in the Collie region? There are two funding avenues you might want to consider, depending on how far along your project is.

Collie Futures Industry Development Fund (CFIDF)

If your project will create new jobs and productivity, with a demonstrated market need, you may be eligible for support from this fund.

The purpose of the CFIDF is to develop new industries or expand existing ones, increase the number and diversity of job opportunities, and diversify Collie’s regional economy. Providing your project meets that brief, you can apply for up to $2M in matched funding. This funding will be available for the duration of the program (until 2024) and is available each year. The good news is that applications are open all year round and will be assessed every two months, so there are plenty of opportunities to apply.

Although small to medium businesses are encouraged to apply for this fund, local governments, industry groups, and not-for-profits will also be considered.

Stage one of CFIDF program will initially consider the eligibility and suitability of your project based on a summary Project Plan. If you are successful, you will be invited to apply to stage two, where you will be required to submit more detailed information, including a business case.

Collie Futures Small Grants Program (CFSGP)

This program offers smaller grants of up to $100,000 to business and not-for-profit organisations. Projects that will be considered include those that stimulate the local economy, meet community needs and support job opportunities. The CFSGP may support feasibility work for projects that support the Economic Development Plan for the Collie and Bunbury regions.

Applicants are encouraged to provide a cash contribution to the project. This is worth noting, as the greater the cash contribution, the higher the project will score in the application assessment process. To be eligible to apply, your project should support the Collie region to:

• increase jobs;
• increase productivity;
• expand or diversify new business streams;
• develop skills or capabilities; and
• foster co-investment opportunities and partnerships.

These projects must also demonstrate an economic impact within a journey-to-work zone of up to 50kms from the Collie townsite/CBD.

The following expenditure items are eligible for funding:

• new business streams that diversify or expand existing businesses;
• new technologies that provide a net economic benefit to the Collie region;
• research development (e.g. market research and/or feasibility studies);
• training courses and/or skills development, business case development;
• events that demonstrate an economic benefit to the Collie region will be considered.

How to apply for the Collie Futures Fund

Access the guidelines and find out how to apply by visiting https://www.swdc.wa.gov.au/grants-funding/collie-futures-fund/

How we can help

If want to take the next step, but you’re short on time, we get it. SMEs are flat out with the practicalities of running a business, with little time for anything else, which is where we come in!

BlueSalt Consulting offers a complete range of services. These include project planning and business case development, to a full grant writing service. If you’re thinking of applying for one of the smaller grants, we can review your application or write your submission. We can also provide professional assistance with writing a business case or feasibility study, as well as project planning services. You may even be eligible for funding through the Small Grants Program to engage us to prepare a feasibility study for you.

By developing your project plan and business case, we can gain valuable in-depth insights into your business. This will allow us to craft a compelling funding submission for your project.

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A version of this blog post first appeared on Anna Dixon Consulting’s website, our previous brand.