Small and medium food and beverage manufacturers in the Dobell electorate have received Federal Government support to help cut energy costs.
Through the food and beverage round of the Energy Efficient Communities program, four manufacturers including Paul Maddock, Australian Beverage Contract Filling, M Hambe & C Phegan and Zentient Culture have received grants between $16,000 and $25,000.
The funding will help lower their energy bills and reduce emissions by upgrading to more energy-efficient appliances including refrigeration, carrying out energy audits and installing energy-monitoring equipment.
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor, said a key way to help businesses rebound from the pandemic was by reducing overheads such as energy.
“This investment by the Morrison government could amount to significant savings for these Central Coast businesses, making a noticeable difference to their bottom line,” he said.
Liberal candidate for Dobell, Dr Michael Feneley, said the funding for Central Coast businesses would go a long way to cutting costs.
“The food and beverage industry has been doing it really tough over the past few years and the cost of power can really hold back growth,” he said.
“This is an important industry, particularly in the Central Coast and I look forward to this investment helping these businesses to thrive and grow, creating jobs and opportunities for locals.”
The Energy Efficient Communities Food and Beverage Manufacturing Business Grants program opened in January 2022, for grants of between $10,000 and $25,000, available to food and beverage manufacturing businesses with fewer than 200 employees.
Dr Feneley said a re-elected Morrison government would continue to support small and medium businesses cut their energy costs through a new $60M Powering Business grants program, and a $17.9M expansion to the Business Energy Advice Program.
Source:
Media release, May 13
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor