A specialist horticulture farm in the Northern Rivers will be able to build a state-of-the-art greenhouse and meet the growing demand for seedlings and grafted plants, thanks to vital support from the NSW Nationals in the state government’s Regional Job Creation Fund.
Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis said the $900,000 grant will help Provenance Propagation establish its operations at Wells Crossing, creating 45 new jobs and encouraging other regional employment opportunities.
Mr Gulaptis said Provenance Propagation will use the grant to construct an innovative 5,700 square metre glasshouse with advanced climate control technology, targeted irrigation infrastructure, and automated growing systems.
“This world-leading facility will enable Provenance Propagation to use these advanced technologies in its herbaceous grafting practices resulting in the cultivation of millions of premium vegetable seedlings each year,” Mr Gulaptis said.
“This new facility will boost Provenance Propagation’s production capacity to meet rapidly growing demand while forging a reputation as a leading national supplier of high-quality grafted vegetables, advanced plants and seedlings.”
Provenance Propagation CEO and Managing Director Jack Mooney said he was incredibly grateful for the support from the NSW Government under the Regional Job Creation Fund.
“This grant will allow us the opportunity to become a leader in the future of farming whilst giving back to regional NSW and the Clarence community through job creation,” Mr Mooney said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the $130 million Regional Job Creation Fund aims to create more than 6,500 new direct jobs in regional NSW by providing incentives to expand and keep operations in regional areas.
“Regional NSW is the engine room of the state and helping companies like Provenance Propagation expand its operations stimulates regional economies, boosts livelihoods and increases local employment opportunities,” Mr Toole said.
“This fund allows businesses to fast track their growth plans, expand their operations and create a solid base for job creation now and into the future.
“Setting businesses up for success helps the local community grow and new jobs mean more people earning a wage and spending their pay packets in local stores, cafés, restaurants and on local goods and services.”
The Regional Job Creation Fund supports eligible businesses with grants to purchase new equipment, expand facilities, acquire technology, create new production lines or establish businesses in regional NSW.
Round one of the Regional Job Creation Fund has now closed. A second round will open in early 2022. For more information, go to investregionalnsw.com/RJCFund.
