Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones is calling provincial growth funding for Invercargill a game changer

The Government's lending $19.5 million dollars toward a $165 million redevelopment of an city centre block for retail, hospitality and offices.

Previous funding for a business case last year revealed the project could boost Southland's GDP by around $48 million a year and create 500 construction jobs.

Mr Jones says Invercargill may be a small city at the bottom of the South Island but it's one with a big vision.