Geraldton Fisherman’s Co-op, Carnarvon Sweeter Banana enterprise awarded funding boost

Funding boosts have been delivered to two Mid West businesses to help them diversify and create new jobs in the region.

Owned and operated by 18 Carnarvon farming families, the Sweeter Banana Co-operative has received an $800,000 loan to help reduce overhead costs and branch out into new markets.

Allocated through the State’s Co-operating Loan Scheme, the funding will allow the co-op to purchase its rented premises and build an additional facility to support the production of frozen bananas and baked goods.

The Geraldton Fisherman’s Co-operative is also a beneficiary of the scheme, with a $1.75 million loan to help expand its lobster processing capacity at its Fremantle sites. The funding will go towards buying new steam cookers, blast freezers and a seawater tank system for live lobster storage.

Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan hoped the funding would benefit the businesses and their communities.

“Sweeter Banana Co-operative and the Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative are two Western Australian success stories, and it is great to see both using the loan scheme to diversify and expand their businesses,” she said.