State support for Manjimup

THE state government has added small business grants to its support base for the Manjimup community following the announcement of the closure of one of the area’s foundational companies, Gunns’ Deanmill jarrah mill.

Small Business Minister Simon O’Brien said the $70,000 support package would be available for small businesses in Manjimup.

The two-phased grants program will be co-ordinated by the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) and the Warren Blackwood Small Business Centre and will act to identify the anticipated impact of the mill closure before delivering a package of assistance.

“When a significant business in a regional town closes down, the ripple effect can be felt for some time, across a fairly wide area,” Mr O’Brien said.

“For that reason, the state government is acting decisively to ward off any long-term damage, and ensure that the business sector in Manjimup can weather this economic storm and continue in the future.”

The support program will provide small business operators with financial diagnostics, preparation for legal and/or accounting appointments, debtor/creditor analysis, managing redundancies, cash flow management advice and general business advice.

“In addition, small business operators will be able to access grants of up to $1,500 to enable them to obtain financial, legal or accounting services,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Through the Small Business Centre in Manjimup, we are looking to provide the right assistance, to the right people, at the right time.”

Meanwhile, the government has signed a deal with Whittakers Timber Products to increase production and employment at its Greenbushes saw mill.