South Australia’s regional communities will get a $5 million boost with the next round of the state government’s Regional Growth Fund now open for applications.

The Regional Growth Fund is for $160 million over 10 years to support South Australian projects that help drive economic growth and strengthen regional communities.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham says applicants are able to seek grants from $50,000 up to $2 million in the fourth round of funding.

“South Australia’s regions are a key economic driver for our state contributing around $29 billion per year and we want to continue to grow this figure,” Minister Basham says.

“It’s important we do everything we can to drive economic growth in our regions, creating local jobs and our Regional Growth Fund plays a key part in this.

“The Marshall Liberal Government has provided more than $60 million to businesses through the Regional Growth Fund so far – unlocking economic activity worth more than $315 million.

“Once completed these projects will deliver nearly 700 jobs, a tangible benefit to regional South Australia in addition to providing new or improved capital works, infrastructure and facilities.

“The opening of this round of funding follows on from the launch of the first South Australian Government Regional Development Strategy which lays out a clear pathway to work positively and strategically with communities to grow our regions.

“This initiative is part of our Food, Wine and Agribusiness Sector Plan, which maps out the ambitious target to grow industry revenue to $23 billion by 2030.

“While drought, bushfires and COVID-19 have presented challenges for our regional communities and businesses, the projects funded to date are bringing new jobs and opportunities to the regions.

“This is a key plank of our Growth State initiative which aims to achieve an increase in Gross State Product to an average annual rate of three per cent per annum.”

Those invited to apply for funding in the competitive pool are local government bodies, Incorporated associations, Registered Charities/Company Limited by Guarantee, cooperatives and business clusters of two or more non-associated organisations who are sharing financial commitment to the project.

Applications close on Monday 12 July, with applicants able to seek grants from $50,000 up to $2 million. More details about the Regional Growth Fund can be found online. 

The Regional Development Strategy and details of key regional projects are available on the Our Regions Matter website.