A Bathurst-based business is set to receive support from the NSW Government to expand its operation and in doing so create employment opportunities in areas including sales, marketing and manufacturing.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole has announced that McDowells Herbal has been successful in winning $500,000 in funding through the government’s recently launched pilot program to deliver low interest loans to allow businesses based in regional NSW to grow and prosper.
McDowells Herbal are one of seven loans being made to regional operators for amounts between $100,000 and $1 million.
According to McDowells co-director Catherine Cox they are proud to have been given this endorsement by the NSW Government, particularly in the very competitive field vying for funds in this pilot program.
She said the company have developed a range of proprietary products for horses and dogs which are natural, safe and condition specific and have no pharmaceutical-based competitors.
Mr Toole said McDowells are pioneers in the animal wellness market and are particularly well-known as leaders in the recreational and competitive equine industries and companion animal markets.
“The funding will be used to automate McDowells liquid and powder manufacturing facility here in Bathurst so the company can substantially increase production of its key retail ready horse and dog products,” he said.
“Their goal is to become a household name in Australia and globally as a provider of natural, effective, and unique animal health care products.”
According to Ms Cox the funding will also enable McDowells to begin commercial production of a new patented natural animal feed additive derived from an Australian native plant and designed to support antibiotics used in the commercial production of chickens, pigs and other farm animals.
“After six years of research and development and field trials we are excited to offer this uniquely Australian product to farmers as a new tool to help in the growing resistance to antibiotics in the food chain,” she said.
Mr Toole noted that over the past 37 years of natural therapy practice, product research and development, McDowells Herbal have grown their customer database to more than 40,000 clients worldwide.
He said that interest on the loan is charged monthly at a fixed rate of 2.5 per cent with repayments interest only for the first two years and that unlike a commercial loan, these loans do not require family homes to be put forward as security.
The loans have been made to businesses in Bathurst, Dubbo, Byron Bay, Wagga Wagga, Wauchope, the Central Coast and Southern Highlands.
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