Six figure sum available to boost Telford businesses
A total of £111,000 is being made available in Telford and Wrekin to provide targeted business support following a six figure European grant to the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The money from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is being shared between Shropshire and Herefordshire but Telford and Wrekin is getting the largest share at the lead applicant.
The overall grant of £186,892 is being distributed across the Marches area with the individual local authorities providing match funding to help boost small and medium enterprises.
The purpose behind the cash is to help support businesses through mentoring, workshops and business advice until alternative online service to Business Link can be fully established.
The money will be used to facilitate business start ups in the Marches area by December 2014 and to raise awareness of the new Business Link online services.
Councillor Charles Smith, cabinet member for Housing, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “The project is seeking to address the need for greater start up, survival and growth of businesses within the Marches area through a spectrum of business support activities.
“The aim is to help businesses and the unemployed through the transition period as the government reforms the Business Link support programme from a local delivery to a national online resource.
“Obviously we are pleased that the Marches LEP has been successful in applying for the European grant funding so we can help support businesses as much as possible in difficult economic times.”
Norman Price, Deputy Chair of the West Midlands ERDF Local Management Committee said: “Supporting businesses through the journey of start up and growth is vital to the overall success and prosperity of the West Midlands.
“Through this project, issues posed by the poor telecommunications infrastructure of the Marches and limited access to online support services are being overcome by the provision of specialist advice, mentoring and support.
“I am pleased that ERDF funding is available to begin to remove the barriers preventing growth and allow businesses in this area to be more competitive.”
