A Mudgee based cocoa company that supplies chocolate to over 80 stockists around Australia and online will be able to upgrade its facilities to double production, thanks to the NSW Government’s Regional Job Creation Fund.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said a $100,000 grant will help Spencer Cocoa purchase new manufacturing equipment and deliver facility upgrades to cater for current international demand and enable future sales growth.
Mr Saunders said the upgrades will include insulation of the production shed, construction of an insulated roasting room to increase roasting capacity by 50 per cent, and the purchase and installation of a new oven to increase capacity by 100 per cent.
“Spencer Cocoa produces delicious chocolate using premium ingredients right here in Mudgee,” Mr Saunders said.
“This project will increase production capacity from 3,400kg of cocoa beans per year to up to 7,000kg, creating five sustainable jobs and allowing Spencer Cocoa to reach its full potential.
“The upgrades will also bring other processing in-house, including its popular hot chocolate, which means more employment opportunities and hours for local workers.”
Head chocolate maker Luke Spencer said the grant will help his business to capitalise on growing interest locally and interstate.
“It’s frustrating as a business to turn away potential sales,” Mr Spencer said.
“We’ve had great support from the Central West and NSW in general and we want to be able to keep supporting all those existing customers and hopefully pick up some more.
“This gives us confidence to further invest in the business – investing in the building and the equipment means we can take on more customers and that requires more workers!”
The Regional Job Creation Fund supports eligible businesses with grants to purchase new equipment, expand facilities, acquire technology, create new production lines or establish businesses in regional NSW.
Round one of the Regional Job Creation Fund has now closed. A second round will open in early 2022. For more information, go to: investregionalnsw.com/RJCFund.