A STATE government stimulus packages has allowed a Bendigo building company to employ more tradespeople during the pandemic.
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Kepal Building Services received $2 million as part of the government's $2.7 billion Building Works package to continue upgrading 36 units at Camp Street in Kangaroo Flat.
Kepal director Paul Holmes said without the funding the business would have potentially halved in size.
Instead, Kepal has has been able to employ 34 staff and keep 300 contractors on the books.
"The stimulus money and work from the state government has basically kept myself and all our trades going through COVID while working under the (pandemic) rules and regulations," he said.
"We haven't had to put anybody off and the business has doubled. (The stimulus) allows us to employ more staff and trades in that (pandemic) period we would have done 20 other projects.
"We have office in Geelong, which opened during COVID, and a sub-branch in Mildura, which is keeping those guys very busy."
Almost $500 million of the Building Works has been invested to upgrade and maintain more than 23,000 social housing units across Victoria and build 168 new social housing dwellings.
The funding comes along side the Victorian Government's landmark $5.3 billion Big Housing Build which is delivering more than 12,000 new homes across Victoria - including in Victoria Hill, Eaglehawk.
"A quarter of the Big Housing Build spend - that's $1.25 billion - will be invested in regional areas, ensuring the economic and social benefits of the program are felt in communities right across the state," housing minister Richard Wynne said.
"Government funding like this not only boosts the construction sector, but also helps our state recover from the COVID-19 pandemic."
Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan said the works completed by companies like Kepal helped keep communities safe as well as keep the building industry going.
"Builders have been able to carry out external work such as painting, gardening and fencing, which has kept business and industry going,"
Mr Holmes said the Camp Street, Kangaroo Flat, project is finished except for the lawns, which will be installed in March.
He said the Omicron outbreak has been the hardest challenge but the work of project manager Amanda Hobbs and project supervisor Travis Cunningham had made it easier.
"We are all done except for the new instant turf," he said. "All 36 units are occupied and we have done new kitchens, bathrooms and floorings.
"It's very fulfilling for the business to give something back to the community and help people in need.
"It has been trying at times, especially through COVID, but we haven't shut down/ We have worked from home, rotated teams and all stayed together and got through it."
Kepal is still working on 12 other projects between Mildura and Ballarat as we as working with Heathcote Health, Haven Home Safe, Aboriginal housing and Housing Choice Australia.
"We also sponsor a lot of families as well," Mr Holme said. "If a family is put forward to use we pay for the children's school fees, uniform and laptops if need be.
"So we have bee able to sponsor a few more families with this funding - about 15 in total. It has helped to be able to give back to the community."
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