GIPPSLAND Aeronautics remains hopeful it can secure much needed funding from the state and federal governments.
After Latrobe Regional Airport secured $2 million in funding from the State Government and Latrobe City Council, recently the aviation company hoped it would signal an influx of further funding to assist in the manufacturing of its GA18 airvan project.
Despite receiving offers from interstate parties to shift the project elsewhere, GippsAero co-founder George Morgan said he was keen to have the project remain in the Latrobe Valley.
If council’s application for $3 million under the Federal Government’s Regional Development Australia Fund is successful, it could signal a boost in employment opportunities of about 200 jobs in the region.
However, sources who do not wish to be named said the success of this application is tied in with the success of another of $1.2 million with the State Government.
While both governments have not set a fixed date for the announcement of the success of these applications, it is believed council will receive an answer by the end of this month.
Council, which previously missed out on the first round of funding under the RDAF, is “extremely hopeful” of success in the second round, according to Latrobe City Mayor Ed Vermeulen.
