The federal government has opened a $19.9 million funding round for small and medium food and beverage manufacturers as part of its Energy Efficient Communities (EEC) program. Companies can apply for a grant of up to $25,000 to save money on energy bills, improve energy efficiency and adopt new energy technologies.
Assistant minister to the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Tim Wilson said the program targets food and beverage manufacturers, which include some of the most energy intensive small and medium businesses in Australia.
The grants can be used to replace existing equipment with more energy efficient models, carry out energy audits, or improve energy monitoring and management. The focus is on helping manufacturing businesses lower their power bills and emissions, Wilson said.
The food and beverage manufacturing industry is the largest manufacturing sector in Australia, contributing around $22.4 billion to the economy.
“It’s because they’re the engine room of the economy employing 1 in 4 manufacturing workers, that the Morrison Government is backing food and beverage manufacturers to be competitive through grants to lower their power costs and slash emissions as part of the solution to Australia’s carbon neutral future,” Wilson said.
Applications close on 18 February or earlier if funding is exhausted prior.
More information, grant guidelines and application forms are available here.
