Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones made the announcement in Ōpōtiki, which will benefit from a large investment in its local aquaculture industry.
The Fund is supporting three aquaculture projects including a proposal to establish a deep water mussel farm and on-land mussel processing factory.
Once complete, this has the potential to create more than 200 jobs.
Also included in today’s investments is funding to increase digital connectivity in Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki as well as support for tourism and horticulture projects.
The investments build on Eastern Bay of Plenty’s strong connection to Tangaroa (Māori god of the sea) especially in the aquaculture and tourism industries, and add to $30 million of Provincial Growth Fund investments already announced for the Bay of Plenty.