Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has announced 23 local businesses across the electorate will share in $528,043 as part of Round 2 of the Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises program.
The local businesses were awarded between $11,353 and $25,000 to replace or upgrade existing equipment to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs. The program provides financial assistance to small and medium sized businesses to improve their energy efficiency, reducing their power bills and lowering their emissions.
“These grants will support local businesses to install new or upgraded systems and equipment to improve their energy efficiency, helping reduce their overheads and their emissions footprint at the same time,” Dr Haines said.
The successful local businesses will use the grants to install hot water systems and heat pumps, purchase energy efficient equipment and systems to monitor energy consumption.
“Small and medium businesses are crucial to our local economy and I am pleased this funding has been delivered in Indi,” Dr Haines said.
“I congratulate these business owners and family-run operations for investing in sustainable and efficient energy measures that save them money and embrace the shift to renewable energy that is happening across the country.
“I often hear from owner-operators across Indi how increasingly challenging it is to run a small business due to rising expenses. These grants will offer some relief to 23 local businesses, and I encourage other businesses to apply for grants such as this.”
Grant recipients included:
- Pinsent Hotel, Wangaratta
- Benalla Tourist Park
- Tanswells Hotel Beechworth
- Buffalo Hotel Myrtleford
- Parkview Motor Inn Wangaratta
- Advance Motel Wangaratta
- Bright Brewery
- Tallangatta Pharmacy & Post Office
- Old Empire Hotel Wahgunyah
- King Valley Popcorn
Grants were also awarded to several beef, dairy and produce farms in Whorouly, Beechworth, Milawa, Cudegwa, Colac Colac, Moyhu, Freeburgh and Winton.
ENDS