Investing in fast-growing businesses to keep succeeding
02/11/2026Right across our regions, diverse businesses are looking to grow their operations – creating jobs, boosting local supply chains and generating new economic activity.
We’re supporting this aspiration through the $150 million Victorian Investment Fund.
This includes in Bendigo, where local manufacturer Bentrol builds switchboards and switchrooms – essential for major infrastructure like utilities, water, resources and mining projects.
The business has been on a growth run since it started in 2011, and it's about to build a new headquarters in East Bendigo. This expansion will see Bentrol increase production capacity and bring on 85 new jobs, including 17 apprenticeships.
At nearby Lockwood, there are more jobs on the way. Poultry producer Hazeldenes will create more than 140 positions through its investment in water infrastructure and sustainability. Backed by our fund, the project will drive a 76% increase in production for Hazeldenes, which is a key part of the regional food-production industry.
Over in Ballarat we're backing more food and more success at Exotic Bazaar. Originally a home-based business, it's now ready to expand into a new commercial headquarters and production site. Here it will create 18 jobs (and more of its delicious recipe bases, spice blends, baking kits and gift ranges).
Niche technology is being developed in Geelong, where Health RFID aims to reach more international customers and create skilled jobs through a body-tracking simulator. The simulator will improve efficiency at specialised health and research settings such as mortuaries.
These are just some of the businesses we're supporting through the Victorian Investment Fund, which features a dedicated $50 million regional stream.
We've also recently provided funding support for:
- Genertech to install specialised equipment and expand its ability to repair onshore wind turbine generators.
- Riviera Farms to reactivate, modernise and expand a former processing facility to establish a new vegetable processing hub.
- Southern Stockfeeds to expand its operations and increase production of stockfeed products for livestock at its Bridgewater site.
- Grape Co Australia to install an industry-first robotic grape-packing line at its Merbein South site to increase production and add jobs
- Luv-A-Duck to double its packaging capacity and increase export opportunities from its Nhill facility, including with installation of the first duck-deboning machine in Australia.
- Unicraft Joinery to deliver a new finishing plant at its Hamilton site, creating 10 new jobs and introducing a new flat-pack product line to help the business grow its customer base.
- CMTP to build a 2,600 square-metre factory in Colac and expand its production of modular housing to help boost the state's housing supply.
- Sturgeon Equipment to construct a new industrial equipment manufacturing factory in western Victoria, quadrupling its production of heavy machinery attachments.
- Bates Pipes to upgrade its concrete pipe-manufacturing facility in Corio, lifting its annual production to almost 1,700 tonnes and reducing production times by up to 15 weeks.
- Beavertail Trailers to upgrade its Wendouree headquarters, double its production of trailers and tray, and create dozens of local jobs.
- Plastic Fabrications to increase its circular manufacturing capabilities, opening new markets for sustainable products, and creating local jobs.
- Cottage Garden Threads to relocate and consolidate its operations, adding 10 local jobs and a four-fold increase in production capacity.
There's so much great business and investment activity going on in regional Victoria.
Learn more about the Victorian Investment Fund, including other projects it has supported: www.rdv.vic.gov.au/grants/victorian-investment-fund