From Australia via (Media-Newswire.com)

A $90,000 Brumby Government grant will help Mansfield's R & J Murphy Hydroponics create 28 new jobs as part of a $3.8 million investment into the region. In Mansfield Shire, Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said the grant was being provided under the Community Regional Industry Skills Program (CRISP).

(Media-Newswire.com) - A $90,000 Brumby Government grant will help Mansfield’s R & J Murphy Hydroponics create 28 new jobs as part of a $3.8 million investment into the region.

In Mansfield Shire, Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said the grant was being provided under the Community Regional Industry Skills Program ( CRISP ).

“The Brumby Government is taking action to create jobs,” Ms Allan said.

“R & J Murphy grows and packs hydroponic tomatoes at its Mansfield operation and was initially producing about 380 tonnes of premium fruit each year.

“The business plans to further expand their facilities and increase production by an annual 600kg, which will create 28 new jobs and provide a big economic boost for the district. This will bring its annual production to around 1 million kg.”

Ms Allan said Mansfield was one of many communities across Victoria to suffer from last summer’s bushfires, the worst in living memory.

“The 2007 Report from the Ministerial Taskforce on Bushfire Recovery concluded that government funding should be made available for additional training to enhance the skills of employees in fire-affected regions and industries,’’ Ms Allan said.

“This grant will do exactly that by providing funding for new employees at R & J Murphy Hydroponics to complete a Certificate in Horticulture at Goulburn Ovens TAFE College.

“The training will enhance the region’s skill base and assist with the continuing recovery from the impact of the bushfires.

“The multi-million dollar development is also valuable because it provides diversification and less dependency on tourism, which is important for the continued growth of the Mansfield Shire.

“In addition to making R & J Murphy Hydroponics one of the top 10 hydroponic producers in Australia, the new state-of-the art facilities will be a showpiece for the region and a further incentive to live, work and invest in Mansfield.”

Ms Allan also applauded the company’s efforts to conserve water by incorporating water recycling and storage facilities into the development.

She said the Brumby Government recognised that finding appropriately trained people to work in provincial Victoria could sometimes prove difficult.

“Our $10 million Community Regional Industry Skills Program brings together local employers, labour market providers and education providers to address local skill shortages, creating sustainable jobs and industries in regional Victoria,” Ms Allan said.

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