A NEW grant has been rolled out to attract local businesses to set up shop in the CBD of Ipswich, with 500 new business opening their doors in the city each year.
From September 2, the Welcome to Ipswich Central: Business Incentive Program began, with $4000 grants available for any new business with the funding for reimbursement of their fit out, furniture and equipment and point of sale systems.
The program has been designed to financially support retail, arts, creative or hospitality ventures to set up bricks and mortar business in Ipswich Central.
There are over 12,000 registered businesses in Ipswich as many open their doors annually, and The Coffee Exchange Express is one of these preparing to open up on Bell St.
The shop is ready to go, while the owners are waiting to find a plumber within their budget – something the funding could assist, owner Lorisha Reddy told Local Ipswich News.
“Everything is out of pocket – I do not have a business loan. So, an incentive to help with funds would be perfect,” Ms Reddy said.
“As someone who has worked in this industry, it has always been a dream of mine to open my very own cafe.
“I moved from Sydney to Brisbane a year ago, and daughter was born in Brisbane, and we could not find any child-friendly cafes in Ipswich.
“I hope to create an ideal space for young families, especially mothers, to go and have a coffee without the judgment of society.
“At the moment we meet weekly with mums, and dads who are caring for young children and we often hear about how there is no place they can go.
“Just to have a bite and coffee without people staring because we have young children that can be loud.”
Ipswich City Council was named Innovator of the Year in the inaugural 2024 Small Business Friendly Awards for initiatives that have delivered significant enhancements of the operating environments for small business.
Mayor Teresa Harding said it was hoped the funding would draw businesses that represent everything great about the city of Ipswich.
“Ipswich is one of Queensland’s fastest growing cities, so as our potential workforce grows, we must foster small business and create opportunities for new jobs to be created so people can work where they live,” she said.
“We are also hoping this new business incentive will attract a variety of business uses that attract people to the city to fill vacant shops in the city centre.”
The back end of the year will see the opening of HOYTS, General Public and Hotel Commonwealth later with all three set to deliver a boost to the city’s night-time economy which in turn will bring more jobs and more business.
“Council recognises the significant role its investment must play in boosting investor confidence, not only in Ipswich’s CBD but across the Ipswich region,” Cr Harding said. “For its part, council seeks to make this community one where such businesses want to come.””
