Business Growth Fit-for Purpose grants are now open as part of the state government’s Distillery Door Program.
Grants of up to $200,000 are available for tailored projects that help distillers to grow their business with new equipment, technology, or promotional projects.
The grants encourage investment in areas that will expand distilleries, create new opportunity and growth for the industry.
Bakery Hill Distillery in Kensington has previously benefitted from the Distillery Door Program, receiving a grant of $63,180 to set up a tasting room bar at its new distillery from the Boosting Visitor Economy and Infrastructure stream.
Bakery Hill spokesperon Andrew Baker said “The government’s support through the Distillery Door Program has allowed Bakery Hill and many other distilleries to expand operations, open a distillery door to the public, and in our case, helped us get closer to increasing production and expanding into new domestic and overseas markets.”
The Distillery Door Program has provided over $7 million in direct funding to support and enhance Victoria’s distillery industry by creating new jobs and opportunities for local distillery businesses.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence said “Victoria is home to some of the finest distilleries, producing world-class spirits that showcase local craftsmanship, create jobs, and position the state as the Australian leader of premium, homegrown spirits.”
“These grants will provide significant support to help Victorian distilleries expand, upgrade their equipment, and bring more locally made products to market.”
Victoria is the distillery capital of the nation with more than 180 distillers that employ over 9,000 people in rewarding jobs across regional and metropolitan Victoria.
Applications will be open for six weeks, closing on 25 March. For further details and to apply, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au.
