Member Article

Lincolnshire coastal firms to bid for £250k fund

Hospitality, industrial and retail businesses based on the coast will be able to bid for a share of £250,000, after funding was secured by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The fund was won from the Coastal Communities Fund to support coast-based businesses in Lincolnshire with poor broadband connectivity.

It will be used to buy digital equipment like card readers and iPads, while a number of retail businesses will win money for refurbishment and training workshops for new equipment.

The Greater Lincolnshire LEP was awarded the grant after an application to the fund, which listed broadband infrastructure and services as a top priority.

Announced on Monday, the Coastal Communities Fund will administer the grants and report back to the LEP on how it will impact on future development strategies.

Together, the local council and the LEP will now develop pilot areas for businesses to bid for the fund.

Doreen Stephenson, coastal champion for the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “This is wonderful news for businesses along the coast and an opportunity that must be seized.

“Embracing technology is so important in developing business, both for the business itself and for customers.

“This, coupled with the countywide broadband improvement project, will hopefully enable businesses on the coast to grow and develop, at the same time supporting the creation of more jobs locally.”

Bidding will open to businesses on the Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire coast from April this year and end in March 2015.

Councillor Eddy Poll, Executive Member for Economic Development, commented: “Over the next few years, local councils will be investing significant amounts of money in bringing better broadband to Lincolnshire.

“That makes it the ideal time for businesses to learn how to take full advantage of digital services.

“Superfast broadband brings many commercial opportunities, such as improved efficiency, better connection with customers and exposure to an expanding global market.

“This money will help us make sure local firms don’t miss out on these opportunities, bringing a welcome boost to the coastal economy.”

The Department for Communities and Local Government contributed £200,000 through the Big Lottery Fund, and the remaining £50,000 was offered up by the Lincolnshire County Council.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .