NATIONAL: The federal government has announced the application dates for the next round of the AusIndustry Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Small Business Program.
From December 9, eligible TCF small businesses can apply for grants of up to $50,000 for projects that will be undertaken in the year commencing July 1, 2010. Applications for funding will close on February 26, 2010.
Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr said the $2.5 million of grant money available will boost the competitiveness of smaller Australian firms in both domestic and overseas markets.
"The program will promote innovation in mentoring, marketing and branding, supply chains, e-commerce and export opportunity development by small designers and manufacturers.
"Businesses that are enterprising and innovative are those best able to respond to tougher market conditions. I urge small businesses to take advantage of this program," Carr said.
Now in its fifth year, the TCF Small Business Program aims to improve the entrepreneurial and business culture among the industry's small businesses. The competitive, merits based program is open to companies with fewer than 20 employees.
Successful applicants in previous years include Romance Was Born, Bassike, Publisher Textiles, Sacha Drake and Life With Bird.
AusIndustry will conduct information workshops for interested applicants in early February 2010.