$30 MILLION TO SUPPORT LOCAL WORKERS

The Illawarra Region Innovation and Investment Fund (IRIIF) supports the Illawarra region by stimulating investment and diversifying the economic and employment base.

The $30 million IRIIF was established by the Australian and New South Wales Governments, together with BlueScope Steel.  This follows BlueScope's announcement of a restructure of its operations and subsequent job losses in the Illawarra region.  The Fund will strengthen the Illawarra region by stimulating investment and diversifying the economic and employment base.  The package supports new investment that will create high quality, skilled and sustainable job opportunities in the Illawarra region.

Eligible investment will be in creating new or additional business capacity designed to enhance employment, business and economic opportunities in the Illawarra Region.

Applications close 16 December 2011.

For further information, go to http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/CommunityAssistance/IRIIF/Pages/IllawarraRegionInnovationandInvestmentFund(IRIIF).aspx