Advance Queensland grant to grow smart spending for Townsville
A North Queensland project to boost regional economies through innovative, local and social procurement is set to grow, thanks to fresh funding from the Queensland Government.
Q-SEED (Queensland Social procurement, Employment and Economic Development) is led by CQUniversity, procurement consultancy ArcBlue, and economic activation partner Smart Precinct NQ.
The big-impact project has been supported in the latest round of Advance Queensland’s Regional Futures – Collaborative Projects program.
The grant, alongside funding from The John Villiers Trust, will drive Phase 2 of Q-SEED’s place-based work to grow investment and jobs in Townsville.
Book to attend your free ticket to Q-SEED launch events on Thursday 11 July at Smart Precinct NQ.
In 2023, Q-SEED engaged with more than 200 local business, community and government leaders to develop a Regional Action Plan for growing procurement opportunities.
CQUniversity Social Innovation Program Manager Steve Williams said the project targeted job creation through smarter spending.
“Those jobs are especially needed for at-risk young people, and those young people who struggle to take advantage of employment opportunities," Mr Williams said.
“Q-SEED is already working with people across North Queensland who want to address social issues in their community, and providing them with strategic connections and processes to achieve that through their business operations.”
ArcBlue Director for QLD and NT, Elisabeth Lette said the project offered a “game-changer” for regional development.
“If just five per cent of non-local spend by Townsville businesses, government and industry is shifted back into the local economy with local suppliers, more than 1500 local jobs could be created,” Ms Lette said.
“We are thrilled that the Queensland Government and The John Villiers Trust have recognised the impact already being achieved by Q-SEED, and transformative opportunities for communities to buy and employ locally.
“The funding ensures Q-SEED can start creating procurement networks, events and training for the region, to shift spending back into Townsville, and to create new jobs.”
The Q-SEED Phase 2 launch events are on Thursday 11 July, book to attend your free ticket now.
Learn more about the project via The John Villiers Trust Q-SEED case study.
