Maidstone Borough Council is working to fight the effects of the recession and bring prosperity to the borough. We help residents with housing and council tax benefits, heating and insulation grants, home improvement grants, free bus travel and by support for organisations which offer money advice.


Force for success


Eighteen months after receiving planning permission to extend its Caring Lane offices, Maidstone based international web management company, GForces, has many reasons to celebrate, including:


 142 employed (92 jobs created between July 2009 and July 2011).


 GForces Training Academy set up to provide work experience and opportunities for students to train in an industry environment.


 GForces wins 2010 and 2011 ‘outstanding employer contribution’ award for work experience students from Kent Educational Business Partnership


Work starts on Kent Clinic


Construction is due to start this month on the Kent Institute of Medicine and Surgery at Bearsted Road, Maidstone.


When construction work is complete in September 2013 the new clinic is expected to create up to six hundred new jobs, with an average salary of £40,000.


It will provide advanced and highly specialised procedures and care in cardiology and neurology for private and NHS patients.


Rural business success


A groundbreaking new business network, bringing together rural businesses across the UK, is being rolled out in Maidstone Borough. Maidstone’s Network of Rural Business Forums has celebrated its first successful year. The Yalding, Nettlestead, Laddingford and Collier Street Forum, formed in December 2010, followed four years after the Marden Business Forum.


Together they have almost 250 members and tens of thousands of pounds-worth of business has been done between members in just a few months.


“Tradesmen and contractors have found the forum particularly useful for networking and establishing quality business leads,” said Forum Chairman Elaine Collins.


With monthly breakfast meetings, networking events and socials, the forum has brought together sole traders, SMEs and larger companies.


The principal aim is to support the local business economy and offer members a raft of benefits, all within an affordable annual membership of just £50. This includes free inclusion into a local directory which goes to all households and businesses in the area. For further information visit www.nrbf.co.uk


Rural broadband


A new DEFRA Rural Community Broadband Grant scheme has been launched as part of the Rural Economy Growth Review. The £20 million fund is part of the wider Rural Development Programme for England and is targeted at providing superfast broadband solutions in the most hard to reach parts of England (i.e. the final 10% of premises not eligible for superfast broadband solutions under the Government's current BDUK funding plans). The fund will:


 be a two stage application process, to be launched on the 1st December and EOIs to be submitted by the end of January


 provide up to 50% of project costs


 require 50% private sector match funding e.g. infrastructure supplier contributions.


For more information, contact Keith Grimley, Economic Development Officer. Tel: 01622 602393 or email: keithgrimley@maidstone.gov.uk


01622 602000 customercare@maidstone.gov.uk www.maidstone.gov.uk Maidstone Council, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone ME15 6JQ


 In 2011 GForces Training Academy takes on twenty local students and two University internships from the University of Kent


 GForces has already committed to take a further six internships from Christchurch University and the University of Kent and a further 30 student work placements.


 95% of revenue generated comes from outside the County.


 Estimated that 25% of revenue generated within the next three years will come from outside of the UK


GForces works with the country’s top auto dealers to turn their websites into key sales and lead generating platforms.


Useful numbers


Citizens Advice Bureau – 01622 752420 or 01622 757882 Council tax – 01622 602003


Housing benefit and general housing advice – 01622 602557


National debtline – freephone 0808 808 4000


Heating and insulation grants - 01622 602470


First time buyers’ grants - 01622 602470


Energy Saving Trust - 0800 512 012


Concessionary Travel - 08458 247802 Jobcentre Plus – 01622 702700


Maidstone has tourism app-eal


The latest update for the Visit Maidstone app is now available and contains even more information on eating and drinking and shopping in the borough.


The app, which was launched in September 2011, is continuing to improve its information and any business looking to be included should contact the Visitor Economy Business Unit by emailing info@visitmaidstone.com or calling 01622 602748.


Bearsted station improvements


A £1 million investment in Bearsted station will renew the footbridge and provide new lifts to make life easier for rail travelers.


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