A GRANT of nearly $100,000 will mean a Riverland business is able to increase production of its unique coffee products this year.
The Federal Government last week announced Renmark-based coffee business Arrosto Investments would receive a $99,550 grant as part of the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund.
Arrosto Investments director Callum Benda said the funding would be used to expand the bottling capabilities – necessary due to increasing demand – of the cold drip and Firewater products.
“We were successful in getting funding for a fully-automated bottling line,” Mr Benda said.
“Locals are aware of the cold-drip coffee we do and also our Firewater coffee liqueur… coming into the summer we’ve got some big customers on board.
“It’s much needed to deal with the supply and demand.”
Mr Benda said increasing popularity of the Firewater liqueur had opened opportunities with Riverland hospitality venues.
“We’re diversifying a typical coffee roasting business,” he said.
“Our core business is coffee roasting, but we’ve branched out into liquid products involving coffee.
“We’ve still got a coffee roasting arm, but now we’ve got a different product that can get into businesses like pubs and clubs.
“Normally a coffee roaster wouldn’t get into those opportunities.”
Member for Barker Tony Pasin said economic effects of the coronavirus emergency meant it was crucial to support Riverland manufacturers.
“Our Government is committed to Australian manufacturing and supporting small and medium sized businesses like… Arrosto Investments here in Barker,” Mr Pasin said.
“These investments will not only strengthen these businesses and create jobs, it will provide a much-needed confidence boost for the whole region as we face this unprecedented pandemic.”
Mr Benda said the new equipment – which is also expected to generate local job opportunities – could be operational by the end of 2020.
“They’ve got to build the machines from scratch so we’re probably aiming for them to be operational at the end of the year, which will be perfect timing coming into the summer months,” Mr Benda said.
“Employment opportunities are there too, so it will create some more jobs going forward.”