The Federal and South Australian Governments have announced a further injection of $11.7 million of assistance into the State’s manufacturing sector in the second round of the South Australia Innovation and Investment Fund (SAIIF).  

Federal Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr and South Australia’s Minister for Industry and Trade Kevin Foley say the funds will generate $78.3 million in private manufacturing investment and create up to 476 new jobs.  

Grants range from $250,000 to $2.5 million and are made to assist the establishment and expansion of manufacturing capabilities.  

Funding will be provided to eleven SA manufacturers.   Projects include:  

Developing an integrated R&D engineering, test and manufacturing facility for a new range of drill rigs (Boart Longyear, Lonsdale – 67 jobs)

A facility to manufacture environmentally friendly building blocks (Benex Technologies, Lonsdale – 70 jobs)

A mass production facility to manufacture Modpods – demountable and flat pack accommodation, storage and service solutions (Modra Hayes, Warooka – 80 jobs)  

“The SAIIF reflects the determination of both governments to support the South Australian economy and create sustainable manufacturing jobs,” Senator Carr said.  

“The first round funding of $14.4 million dollars, announced in February this year, is generating a total investment of $63 million and creating around 430 new jobs.  

“The jobs created by this fund include high skill, high wage opportunities for South Australian workers in innovative industries.”  

Senator Carr says the competition for support under SAIIF has been fierce and shows how passionate and committed local businesses are.  

“The quality of the successful projects confirms the Rudd Government’s faith in Australian industry and conviction that manufacturing has a great future,” Senator Carr said.  

South Australia’s Minister for Industry and Trade Kevin Foley says the fund provides manufacturers with the momentum they need to commit to expanding and developing their operations.  

“At a time when capital for expansion can be hard to come by, support through measures like the South Australia Innovation and Investment Fund can make all the difference,” Foley said.  

 “Like our Federal counterparts, the Rann Government understands the need to support innovative and advanced manufacturing and these projects certainly fall into this category.  

“These projects only serve to strengthen this Government’s belief that South Australian manufactures are among the most innovative and determined in the country.”  

The $40 million South Australian Innovation and Investment Fund was established by the two governments in response to the closure of Mitsubishi’s Tonsley Park assembly plant in March last year.  

The fund includes $30 million for industry development and $10 million for infrastructure development.