NATIONAL: The gates are officially open to small textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) businesses wishing to apply for the latest round of industry grants.
Entries for the AusIndustry TCF Small Business Program are now being accepted, and eligible TCF small businesses can apply for grants worth up to $50,000 for projects to be undertaken in the year commencing July 1, 2010. A total of $2.5 million in funding is available, and applications close on February 26, 2010.
Now in its fifth year, the TCF Small Business Program is a federal government initiative that 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 that are unable to receive assistance under the TCF Strategic Investment Program.
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. More information on the TCF Small Business Program can also be obtained by phoning the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46 or emailing hotline@ausindustry.gov.au