Collie has been identified as a preferred location for a potential hemp processing plant to service 37 growers across the State’s budding industry.
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan and Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray today announced $35,000 in funding from the Collie Futures Small Grants Program (CFSGP) to allow WA Hemp Growers’ Co-op (HempGro) to develop a business case for the facility.
The business case will investigate the opportunity to produce wholesale hemp products, as well as working with other hemp-focused businesses including bio-char, fibreboard, bioplastics, and food and seed products.
If the facility gets the green light it has the potential to create jobs both in growing and processing, and enable farmers to expand and diversify into new business streams.
HempGro was created in 2018 to establish, develop and support a sustainable and prosperous hemp industry in Western Australia.
Another project receiving funding through the CFSGP is The Humble Horse, a family-run business that plans to use its $20,000 grants to offer horse-riding tours and riding lessons in Collie.
The company has been operating in the Margaret River region for the past nine years and is looking to expand to Collie, where it will offer long horse rides that capture the natural beauty of the region.
