Member Article

£200 million RGF funding is up for grabs for Leeds City Region businesses

The LEP is encouraging companies based in Leeds City Region to bid for a share of the government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF), following the launch of round six of the Fund today.

£200 million is available in round six for private sector bidders seeking £1 million or more for projects that will generate significant private sector investment and sustainable jobs.

The LEP is able to support Leeds City Region firms by providing advice and feedback on applications, and endorsing good quality bids that fit with its strategic priorities.

For the first time, large companies looking to invest in the Aire Valley Leeds Enterprise Zone, Bradford Growth Zone, and other parts of Bradford, Leeds, Kirklees and Calderdale, will be able to apply for RGF, thanks to a recent 90% increase in Assisted Areas coverage in the Leeds City Region.

43 wards in the City Region are designated as Assisted Areas by the European Union, and businesses located there can receive more public support than other areas. Parts of Wakefield, Barnsley and Selby also have Assisted Area status.

Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Chair, Roger Marsh said: “I welcome the announcement by government today of a sixth round of the Regional Growth Fund. Leeds City Region companies have benefitted from well over £100 million of investment through the first five rounds of RGF, and I urge companies interested in bidding for a share of the £200m on offer through round six to contact the LEP for support.”

Companies that went on to secure RGF support with LEP endorsement in previous rounds include Haribo in Pontefract, Leeds-based bed manufacturer, Harrison Spinks, Cummins in Huddersfield and Borg Warner in Bradford.

RGF round six will be open to private sector bidders seeking £1 million or more. Businesses will be able to submit their bids until noon on 30 September 2014.

The government is also holding road shows and expression of interest days throughout the country from today to provide advice on how to make a successful RGF bid. On July 8 an event will be held at the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster.

For more information, visit http://business.leedscityregion.gov.uk/support/funding/rgf/

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .