Economic Development Grant Program

The Economic Development Grant Program (EDG) supports Eligible Entities to investigate or establish new industries, products and services that are not currently available within the City.

EDG prioritises scalable projects that address identified market gaps, diversify the local economy and improve productivity. The focus is on developing new industries, rather than simply establishing individual businesses. 

Innovation means developing, testing or adapting a new idea, technology, process, business model, product or service that is not currently available within the local market.

This may include feasibility studies, proof of concept activities, addressing regulatory barriers or adapting a solution to Karratha’s operating environment.

Innovation may also increase localisation by enabling goods, services or capabilities currently sourced from outside the City to be provided locally. 

Yes. A new business may be supported where its proposed industry, product, service or operation is not currently available within the local market. The Applicant must demonstrate the capacity and capability to deliver the project. This may include relevant project delivery experience, academic or research expertise, significant industry experience, or access to suitably qualified personnel and delivery partners.  

The application must demonstrate the identified market gap, evidence of demand, project viability and the expected economic benefit for the City. 

Yes. An existing business may apply where it proposes to introduce a genuinely new product, service or operation into the local market. The Applicant must demonstrate the capacity and capability to deliver the project. This may include relevant project delivery experience, academic or research expertise, significant industry experience, or access to suitably qualified personnel and delivery partners.

EDG does not fund ordinary business growth, routine expansion or business as usual.  

Applicants must:

• be a legal entity with a registered Australian Business Number;
• be capable of entering into a binding Funding Agreement with the City;
• hold, or be able to obtain, the required insurance, permits and licences; and
• operate within, be connected with or demonstrate clear and measurable economic benefit for the City.

Applicants must also meet all eligibility requirements contained in the EDG Funding Guideline. 

Eligible projects may include:

• market, supply chain or value chain assessments;
• feasibility studies and business planning;
• research and development;
• proof of concept activities;
• work required to investigate or navigate regulatory pathways;
• projects involving emerging technology, innovation or renewable resources;
• projects that increase localisation or productivity;
• projects supporting priority industries identified in the Economic Development and Tourism Strategy;
• industry wide skills and capability initiatives delivered by a university, college or recognised education or training provider; and
• in exceptional circumstances, one off capital expenditure or fitout costs directly required to establish an approved new industry, product, service or operation that is not currently available locally.

Funding eligibility will depend on the circumstances and merits of each application. 

Capital expenditure or fitout costs may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

The Applicant must demonstrate that the expenditure is directly required to establish an approved new industry, product, service or operation that is not currently available within the local market. The expenditure must represent value for money and must not be an ordinary operating or maintenance cost.  

EDG does not fund ordinary business growth, routine expansion or business as usual. 

EDG will not fund:

• projects that have already commenced or been completed;
• deficit funding or repayment of debts;
• ordinary operating or maintenance costs, including wages, rent, utilities, recurring needs and consumables;
• routine business growth or business as usual;
• continuation, replacement or upgrade of products, services or operations already available locally;
• training primarily benefiting an individual business or its employees;
• alcohol or associated licences and services;
• activities primarily under the responsibility of another government body;
• activities that present an unacceptable health, safety or reputational risk;
• activities inconsistent with the City’s values;
• activities already funded through another City funding program during the same financial year; or
• applications from entities with outstanding debts, overdue Acquittals or unfulfilled City funding obligations.

Refer to the EDG Funding Guideline for the complete exclusions. 

There is no fixed minimum or maximum Grant amount.

The amount requested should be reasonable, proportionate to the project and supported by a complete and accurate budget. The City will consider the value, complexity, risk, expected economic impact and available budget.  

Council may approve full, partial or no funding. 

Yes. Applicants must provide Matched Funding equal to or greater than the amount requested from the City.

For example, an Applicant requesting $50,000 from the City must contribute at least $50,000 towards the approved project.

The Applicant’s contribution and any other confirmed or proposed funding must be clearly identified in the application budget. The Applicant must demonstrate that the project is fully funded.  

When can I apply?

Applications may be submitted throughout the year, subject to available funding.  

Applicants should allow sufficient time for compliance review, assessment, internal review, Executive Leadership Team consideration and Council determination before the proposed project is due to commence.

Contact the City early to discuss the likely timeframe for your application. 

Yes. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the City before preparing a full application.

• An early discussion can help determine whether:
• the proposal addresses an identified local market gap;
• the activity is genuinely new to the local market;
• the project appears suitable for EDG;
• another City funding program may be more appropriate; and
• sufficient time is available to complete the assessment and approval process.

Telephone: 08 9186 8555

Email: enquiries@karratha.wa.gov.au 

The application must include all mandatory information identified in the approved application form and Funding Guideline.

This may include:

• a clear project description;
• evidence of the identified market gap and demand;
• expected economic diversification, localisation and productivity benefits;
• project methodology and delivery timeframe;
• a complete project budget;
• evidence of Matched Funding and other contributions;
• information about the Applicant’s capacity and experience;
• proposed outcomes and performance measures;
• relevant quotations or cost evidence; and
• required insurance, permits, approvals or supporting documents.

The level of detail required will be proportionate to the value, complexity and risk of the funding request. 

An incomplete application may be returned or determined ineligible.

The City may request clarification or additional information. Providing additional information does not guarantee that the application will proceed or receive funding. 

The City will first undertake an eligibility and compliance review.

Compliant applications will then be assessed against the following criteria:

Strategic Alignment, mandatory;  

• Economic Impact, 30%
• Value, 30%
• Viability, 20%
• Project Plan, 20%

The assessment will consider whether the project addresses an identified market gap, introduces genuinely new local activity and provides measurable economic diversification, localisation or productivity benefits. 

Strategic Alignment is mandatory. An application will not proceed if it does not demonstrate sufficient alignment with the Council Plan and the Economic Development and Tourism Strategy.

Applicants should explain how the project:

• supports the City’s vision and strategic objectives;
• contributes to economic diversification, localisation or productivity;
• supports a priority industry identified in the Economic Development and Tourism Strategy; and
• is consistent with the City’s values and reputation.