MORE than 80 manufacturing jobs are set to flow from three business investments worth almost $7.5 million, federal Industry Minister Ian McFarlane has announced.
He visited Geelong this week to announce $2.9 million for the projects from a Geelong Region Innovation and Investment Fund (GRIIF), established to help the city overcome jobs losses in its manufacturing sector.
Quickstep Operations received the largest grant, $1.8 million to develop a $5 million automotive pilot production facility at Deakin University’s Carbon Nexus Precinct in Waurn Ponds.
Mr McFarlane said the facility would enable low-volume production runs of lightweight components for the global automotive industry, creating 30 new jobs by June 2017.
Organic Dairy Farmers received $600,000 for a $1.3 million cream and cheese processing and packaging line at its new manufacturing plant in North Geelong.
The new line would create 23 jobs and help the business expand into export markets for frozen cream, Mr McFarlane said.
Farm Foods received $525,000 for a $1 million project to expand production of red-meat products with shelf lives of 90 days, which would help the company take Asian export markets and create 27 jobs.
Mr McFarlane said each project could provide jobs for ex-Ford and Alcoa workers.
“These new projects are good news for Australian manufacturing and great news for Geelong,” he said.
“They will enable Australian companies to produce new and innovative products for local and global markets.”
Mr McFarlane said the Abbott Government was partnering Victoria, Ford and Alcoa “to help entrepreneurial businesses in the Geelong region carry out new projects that create jobs and opportunities”.
Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson expected further benefits from the three projects than just the direct jobs.
“These three companies already have a local presence but increasing their production will lead to greater demand for production inputs as well as cleaning, freight and other services that can be provided by businesses in the Geelong area.
“The flow on effects for the Geelong economy will expand economic activity, create sustainable jobs and contribute to a more prosperous community.”
