The State Government is backing local jobs and investment in Orbost’s growth sector of agriculture through the native timber transition.
Minister for Agriculture, Ros Spence, announced a $115,000 Community Development Fund grant for a National Seeds Institute  feasibility study in Orbost, to leverage the district’s long history and proven expertise in seed testing, breeding and storage.
The new funding will enable the Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ODCCI) to develop an investment case and business plan in collaboration with local community members, seeds businesses, nurseries and RMIT University.
President of the ODCCI, Samantha Reynolds, said the funding would  be a positive step forward for the town. “The funding allocation now allows the National Seeds Institute work to progress further and will enable the feasibility study to be put together to test whether there is a potential market for the institute,” she said.
“An extensive amount of work has been put in to get to this stage and the benefits potentially could be not only for the local seed businesses in Orbost but the broader industry nationwide. 
“We are looking forward to seeing the outcome as the benefits to the district and our local employment could be immense.”
The National Seeds Institute proposal is a communityled initiative informed by more than 150 interviews with local businesses and residents.

IMAGE: A National Seeds Institute feasibility study will be established in Orbost, following the State Government’s announcement of a $115,000 Community Development Fund grant.