As we start to wind down operations in 2023, we are taking the time to reflect on what a fantastic year it’s been for the Commission and the region. Throughout the year we continued to hold conversations around the boundless opportunities we have in the Mid West, and the areas where these opportunities are already being realised.

The Commission is a supporting participant of the Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies (CRC TiME) which is working to enable mining regions and communities to transition to prosperous and sustainable post-mining futures.

The State Government is supporting two Mid West communities to grow and thrive, as part of its $1.9 million investment in traineeships to boost local workforces.

The State Government will invest more than $700 million to upgrade WA's main electricity network and unlock renewable energy generation opportunities, putting the State on track to become a global renewable energy powerhouse.

The State Government will deliver a $134 million funding boost to slash Western Australia's greenhouse gas emissions and drive new job opportunities in clean energy industries.

Commission staff and Board members attended the Pilbara Summit this week to look at the strategic development, investment opportunities and emerging industries driving economic growth in the region.

Today the Commission, Lara Dalton MLA, Member for Geraldton and Sandra Carr MLC, Member for the Agricultural Region met with the Hon Patrick Gorman MP, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister.

Three Mid West projects will share in $606,046 funding which will help build regional business resilience and diversify the economy under Round 6 of the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.

Regional Development Minister Hon Don Punch MLA has officially opened the new visitor hub at Wooleen Station yesterday, which is set to diversify the tourism experience in the Murchison.

The Commission was pleased to attend the celebration completing the sealing the Carnarvon – Mullewa Road from Murchison Settlement to its southern boundary; a huge achievement for a small local shire.

Award winning author Holden Sheppard’s Invisible Boys is being turned into a Stan series to be shot in the Mid West.

The second annual Backroads Gravel Fields of Gold event kicks off tomorrow night at the revitalised Blue Heelers Square. Backroads is WA’s newest cycling event, bringing gravel racing to the Mid West. 

Last week, the Commission, in partnership with the Department of Training and Workforce Development and the Australian Department of Home Affairs, led an information session for the local building and construction sector on the State and Federal Government initiatives and support available to address workforce shortages in our region.

The Commission is excited to partner with Mingenew Midwest Expo on 9 and 10 August to support its inaugural Tastes of the Mid West demonstrations.

As part of our focus on enabling opportunities for investment attraction, the Commission was delighted to host a delegation from GFG Alliance last week, including its Executive Chairman, Sanjeev Gupta.

Commission staff and Board caught up with Shire of Yalgoo CEO Ian Holland and Councillors this week as part of our regional visits schedule.

Yesterday the Commission's CEO Nils Hay, Director Regional Development Mike Bowley and Board Member Jerry Clune attended Nexus Airlines' official launch ahead of its first flight from Geraldton Airport, destined for Karratha, then Port Hedland, before arriving in Broome.

Last week, the Commission, with City of Greater Geraldton and Mid West Ports Authority, hosted a delegation keen to understand the investment climate of the region.

Through the Regional Economic Development Grants program, $250,000 was invested in a world-leading truck driving simulator. Fenix Resources have offered an insight into the simulator and the way it is helping learner drivers to train in multi-combination road trains.

While visiting Geraldton today Hon Don Punch MLA, Minister for Regional Development took the opportunity to preview a Regional Economic Development Grant project, Welcome to Gero, which is nearing completion.

Kinara Power and Blue Diamond Australia are the first of six companies to agree to the key terms on options to lease land in the Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area.

The State Government has committed $5 million to the development of Geraldton's West End Precinct in the first round of the Government of Western Australia's $285 Investment Attraction Fund.

The Government of Western Australia delivered its 2023-24 State Budget address in Geraldton last week.

We were so impressed with the second Mid West WA Food Marketplace at Shore Leave Festival on the weekend - the event was teeming with people from the moment it opened, with Hon. Jackie Jarvis MLC, Minister for Agriculture and Food, Forestry, and Small Business commending the diversity of produce and enthusiasm everyone shared to promote it.

This week the Mid West Food Industries Alliance wrapped up its 2023 ‘Tastes of the Mid West’ podcast series, an opportunity to hear the stories behind our local producers.

The Commission are excited to welcome Hon. Jackie Jarvis MLC, Minister for Agriculture and Food to open the Mid West WA Food Marketplace at Shore Leave Festival on Sunday, 30 April.

The Commission staff and Board attended the Murchison Country Zone of WA Local Government Association biannual forum, better known as Cue Parliament, last week.

Last week we were pleased to attend Geraldton Universities Centre’s 2023 Hollomby Foundation Scholarship presentations to award the Commission’s scholarship to recipient Tess Tonkin-Sloan.

The Commission is delighted to partner with the Mid West Food Industries Alliance for a second year, to deliver the Mid West WA Food Marketplace at Shore Leave Festival on Sunday, 30 April.

The Commission recently hosted a Mid West episode screening of one of our longest running TV series - Aussie Gold Hunters, in partnership with producers, Electric Pictures Pty Ltd. The series follows gold prospectors in various locations of regional WA.