LOCAL company SA Mushrooms Pty Ltd is set to expand its Lower Light facility through a $200,000 State Government Regional Development Grant.
Regional Development Minister Geoff Brock said the grant would go towards the company's $1.9 million expansion project which would create 13 full time jobs by 2016-17.
"The expansion will allow the company to increase its compost production capacity by at least 36 per cent," Mr Brock said.
"This will also result in the company expanding its mushroom production and generate important new employment opportunities in the Barossa, Light and Lower North regions.
"By increasing its mushroom compost production, the company will grow and harvest more mushrooms which will also result in increased economic activity, market supply and job opportunities.
"The State Government's expanded $15m a year Regional Development Fund, through its Small Grants Program, is supporting this project which will provide a consistent and sustainable supply of fresh compost suitable for growing mushrooms.
"The mushroom compost is made from 100pc recycled raw materials and helps reduce wastage - contributing to the development of clean and green operations in the local community and other parts of the state.
"The project reinforces and supports the State Government's economic priority of premium food and wine being produced in our clean environment and exported to the world."
SA Mushrooms managing director Nick Femia said expanded compost production was a sustainable, long-term proposition providing further benefits and opportunities for the company.
"This project will make fresh compost suitable for mushroom production, and we are hoping to also use the by-products of the composting process to create other products, such as garden soil conditioners, lawn fertilisers and other agriproducts as a renewable resource," Mr Femia said.
"The expansion will allow us to create jobs and income in SA by marketing, promoting and selling the state's produce interstate and overseas.
"This is something we're very keen to pursue in order to strengthen the overall mushroom industry and community, as well as consolidating our own business.
"This will provide good leverage for our SA Mushrooms brand and benefit our market position, including the potential to expand our interstate markets and explore Asian markets."
The $15m a year Regional Development Fund drives economic growth and productivity by offering grants to boost investment in regional infrastructure and the creation of jobs and new opportunities for regional SA.
Need to know more?
Visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/regions/programs/rdf
