Member Article

Invest in Growth Opportunity and Jobs

A NEW fund that will help businesses grow - creating and safeguarding thousands of jobs in the region will put the North East at the very heart of the country’s economic recovery.

And one of the region’s most influential businesses, the Business & Enterprise Group (BE Group) will deliver the help needed to ensure that firms take advantage of the offer - boosting their own prospects and the coffers of UK PLC.

The Business & Enterprise Group is expecting a large number of applications to the ERDF funded ‘Investment for Growth’ programme as companies approach 2012 with renewed vigour and investment led growth plans.

The fund will bring investment of around £10 million into the economy, providing subsidies of around 30 to 40 per cent to eligible companies to undertake projects that will create or safeguard jobs.

Chief Executive of the Business & Enterprise Group, Alastair MacColl said: “This is a fantastic programme and one which we will really relish delivering. It will make a real difference.”

“A team of business advisers will help to guide firms through the preparation, submission and follow up of their applications.

“We will be able to see the concrete results of the programme both in economic and human terms. It’s about generating economic opportunity, jobs and growth - addressing key Government priorities.

“As a national business services Group based in the North East this new programme underlines our commitment to making this one of the best regions in Europe in which to grow a business.”

As well as creating or safeguarding jobs directly, uptake will also lead to a more active business landscape, spin-off jobs and a more vibrant economic climate – and this will be clearly evidenced at the end of the programme.

Initial contact will be followed by one-to-one sessions with business advisers who will support eligible businesses through the entire process; ensuring those projects most likely to result in business growth receive an appropriate level of subsidy..

The programme, which will be able to help both new and established businesses including eligible social enterprises, starts immediately and runs until 2014. To access the programme call 0191 426 6408 or email enquiries@business-enterprise.net.

The project will benefit from £4.99million of investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013 is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Brown .