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. 

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. 

Economic Impact represents 30% of the assessment score.

Applicants must demonstrate the expected direct economic benefit within the City. The assessment will consider:

• the local market, supply chain or value chain gap being addressed;
• whether the proposed industry, product, service or operation is genuinely new to the local market;
• expected economic diversification and productivity benefits;
• increased localisation of goods, services or capabilities;
• benefits for local suppliers, businesses and stakeholders;
• diversification of local job and career opportunities; and
• how the proposed economic outcomes will be measured.

Claims should be supported by credible evidence, research, data, stakeholder engagement or documented market demand. 

Value represents 30% of the assessment score.

The City will consider:

• evidence of demand and market need;
• whether the proposed costs are reasonable;
• confirmed and proposed funding contributions;
• the Applicant’s Matched Funding contribution;
• support from project partners;
• why City funding is required;
• the extent to which City funding will leverage other investment; and
• the potential for the project to enable future investment or economic activity.

Requesting a smaller amount does not automatically result in a higher score. The application must demonstrate that the proposed City contribution is proportionate to the expected benefits. 

The Project Plan represents 20% of the assessment score.

The City will consider whether the application includes:

• clear objectives, activities and deliverables;
• measurable project and economic outcomes;
• a realistic methodology;
• an achievable delivery timeframe;
• a complete and accurate budget;
• clear roles and responsibilities;
• appropriate project and financial management arrangements;
• required quotations and supporting information; and
• appropriate communication or marketing planning.

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

Council determines all EDG applications.

Following assessment and internal review, a recommendation will be considered by the Executive Leadership Team before the application is presented to Council.

Applicants will be notified in writing of Council’s decision. Council’s decision is final and is not subject to appeal. 

No. The proposed project must not commence and eligible expenditure must not be incurred before:

Council has approved the application; and

a written Funding Agreement has been executed.

Costs incurred before the Funding Agreement is executed will not be eligible for reimbursement. 

A successful Applicant must enter into a written Funding Agreement with the City.

The Funding Agreement will identify:

• the approved project and purpose;
• the approved funding amount;
• eligible expenditure;
• required activities, deliverables and outcomes;
• payment arrangements;
• project timeframes;
• acknowledgement requirements;
• reporting and Acquittal obligations; and
• any other funding conditions.

Funding is not available until the Funding Agreement has been executed. 

EDG funding is paid as reimbursement for approved eligible expenditure incurred after the Funding Agreement has been executed.

The Recipient must provide a valid tax invoice and the required supporting evidence before payment can be processed.  

Funding is calculated on eligible costs excluding GST. Payment processing may take up to 30 days after the City receives all required documentation. 

A Recipient must obtain the City’s written approval before changing an approved project, expenditure, deliverable, outcome or delivery timeframe.

A written variation request must explain:

• the proposed change;
• why the change is required;
• any effect on the budget, timeframe or outcomes; and
• how the overall intent of the approved project will be maintained.

Approval is not guaranteed. A Recipient must not implement the proposed change until written approval has been received. 

Recipients must acknowledge the City’s assistance as specified in the Funding Agreement.

Requirements may include:

• use of the City logo;
• acknowledgement in public communications;
• participation in joint media or promotional activities; and
• provision of photographs or video showing project delivery and outcomes. 

Unspent funds must be returned to the City within 60 days of completing the approved project unless a written variation has been approved.

Unspent, misused or unacquitted funding may be treated as a debt to the City.

Failure to satisfactorily acquit funding may also affect eligibility for future City funding. 

Unspent funds must be returned to the City within 60 days of completing the approved project unless a written variation has been approved.

Unspent, misused or unacquitted funding may be treated as a debt to the City.

Failure to satisfactorily acquit funding may also affect eligibility for future City funding. 

Read the following documents before applying:

EDG Funding Guideline

For assistance, contact the City:

Telephone: 08 9186 8555

Email: enquiries@karratha.wa.gov.au