2 Jul 2019

Wheelchair maker gets $2.5m Provincial Growth Fund loan

4:31 pm on 2 July 2019

A Kāpiti Coast firm that manufactures hands-free wheelchairs and a tourism company are receiving investment from the Provincial Growth Fund.

Wheelchair

The loan to Omeo Technology is to scale up and centralise its production. Photo: 123rf

Omeo Technology, which has developed a state-of-the-art wheelchair that can be operated hands-free by the user's body movement, will be given a $2.5 million loan to scale up and centralise its production in Ōtaki.

The development is expected to result in the creation of 21 jobs.

Waiorua Lodge Limited will get $635,000 in funding to cope the improvement of tourism infrastructure on Māori-owned land at Kāpiti Island.

The funding is to investigate an upgrade to the lodge and supporting facilities at Waiorua Bay and look at renewable energy sources.

"This could bring more people to the region which acts as a gateway to Kāpiti Island, and increase employment opportunities for local people," Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones said in a statement .

In addition, $140,000 has been provided for a provincial growth fund programme manager based at Kāpiti Coast District Council.