Bridgetown’s Blackwood Valley Brewing benefit from latest agrifood and beverage voucher program grants

A Bridgetown brewery will share in $540,000 of State Government funding designed to help businesses take their operations to the next level. Blackwood Valley Brewing — located at the Cidery in Bridgetown — was awarded a $4973 voucher to assist with their sales and marketing processes. The local brewery was one of 64 businesses across the state in the latest round of the Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program. Member for Warren-Blackwood Jane Kelsbie said the South West was home to some of the state’s best produce and food products, and businesses which put these products on plates around the world. “It is fantastic to see the Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program once again support so many agrifood and beverage businesses in our region to bolster their operations and opportunities.” The program — established in 2018 — has awarded $2.4 million in funding, leveraging over $3.4 million in private industry investment according to the State Government. Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis said the program supported small-to-medium enterprises which were value-adding to the agricultural sector. “This program gives WA food and beverage businesses the extra boost they need to take their business to the next level, whether that be focused on growth, marketing and sales, sustainability or planning,” she said. Regional Development Minister Don Punch said the State Government was committed to growing and diversifying the state’s economy, ensuring more local jobs and stronger communities. “This program is a great investment in our regions by building stronger and more dynamic food and beverage businesses, many of which operate in regional WA,” he said.