Published on Friday, 15 December 2023 at 1:34:00 PM

As we start to wind down operations in 2023, we are taking the time to reflect on what a fantastic year it’s been for the Commission and the region.

Throughout the year we continued to hold conversations around the boundless opportunities we have in the Mid West, and the areas where these opportunities are already being realised.

These conversations were enabled by a number of free community engagement forums we hosted with key partners, delivering information on activity that has the potential to transform the regional economy and social landscape.

• Mid West Hydrogen Forum (February, Geraldton)
• Roads for Rehydration Forum and Workshop (March, Mount Magnet)
• Geraldton Housing Development Forum (June, Geraldton)
• Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area Community Chats (August, Chapman Valley and Northampton)
• Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area Forum (September, Geraldton)
• Arrowsmith Community Chats (October, Mingenew, Three Springs and Carnamah)

The Commission staff and Board also caught up with a number of our Local Government partners as part of our regional visits schedule throughout the year.

The Commission is committed to understanding the cumulative socio-economic impacts of major projects in the region to inform planning for social infrastructure, in particular workforce, health and housing requirements and our regional trips have become an important opportunity to engage around local projects, key challenges and opportunities.

This was complemented by extensive engagement with a broad cross section of State Government agencies.

Whether through industry reference groups and steering committees, strategic partnering, hosting delegations or fostering an ongoing role in regional planning processes, we are grateful for the fantastic collaboration achieved this year.

Finally, we celebrated progress on a number of Regional Economic Development Grant projects in the region.

The RED Grants is a $50 million program that has been running for six rounds now, with up to $250,000 grants available to businesses, local governments and not-for-profits.

We are now looking forward to Round 7 of the RED grants opening in early 2024 and urge you to think about whether you have a potential project, and reach out to us early to discuss it for the best chance of success.

We would like to thank everyone for their support to the Commission over the past 12 months and look forward to continuing our joint efforts to enable key Mid West regional outcomes in the new year.

The office will be closed over the Christmas/New Year period from 4pm Friday 22 December, re-opening on Tuesday 2 January - until then, the team at Mid West Development Commission wish you a Merry Christmas and a fantastic start to 2024!

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