Grants lift Geelong businesses

A TRIO of Geelong businesses have been able to transform their operations, buy new equipment, employ extra staff and retain their workforce through $2.3 million in state government grants.

The Local Industry Fund for Transition (LIFT) – which builds on and replaces the Geelong Region Innovation and Investment Fund (GRIIF) – was set up to support capital investment by firms or by businesses wishing to set up or expand operations in the communities most affected by the closure of the major car manufacturers.

The Geelong region (comprising the municipalities of Colac Otway, Golden Plains, Greater Geelong, Queenscliffe and Surf Coast) is one of four specific sub-funds in LIFT.

Last week, Minister for Industry Ben Carroll visited Flat Glass Industries Geelong, which, through a LIFT grant, has started the transition from automotive glass to supplying glass to homes and businesses.

Founded in 1977, the company was the only Tier 1 automotive supplier of glass in Australia and provided products to Ford, Holden and Toyota.

As part of the project, the company is revamping a dedicated automotive glass processing facility that otherwise would have closed and is converting it to a state-of-the-art architectural glass facility with new machinery.

Flat Glass Industries will also retain its 75 strong workforce and provide them with an opportunity to re-skill. The company is also creating an additional five jobs.

Routleys Bakery received funding under the LIFT program, so that it can renovate its facility, purchase new machinery, diversify its products and target new markets.

The company is expected to create 10 new roles, five of which are expected to be suitable for ex-automotive workers.

Geelong Confectionery Company also received a grant, which will allow them to acquire new machinery, upgrade existing equipment and diversify its current operations, creating four new jobs.

“We said we’d support automotive supply chain companies and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” Mr Carroll said.

“We’re helping companies like Flat Glass Industries Geelong find new markets, transform its operations, keep its facility and save jobs.”

For more information on LIFT, head to the website business.vic.gov.au/lift.