Business News
The Business Growth Programme - an SMEs last chance to access EU funding to enable growth
In 2015, Birmingham City Council concluded a programme of business support which culminated in the successful delivery of grant funding to Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) throughout six Local Enterprise Partnerships. This £90m portfolio was the first of its kind and designed
to improve business confidence, encourage investment and attract and retain business talent. It resulted in 1,000 businesses being supported, £87m generated in private sector investment and created and safeguarded 4,300 jobs. In recognition of these achievements, Birmingham City Council won the “Improving the Business Environment” category in the Enterprising Britain Awards, which is part of the Government’s drive to increase entrepreneurial activity in the UK and also won the coveted “Most Enterprising Place in Britain” National award. Having a successful track record under its belt, Birmingham City Council pitched for grant funding support to deliver the £33m Business Growth Programme (BGP), which launched in July 2016. Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the BGP is designed to support existing B2B SMEs located in, or moving into the Greater Birmingham & Solihull, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire and The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) areas.
The Business Growth Programme BGP is targeted at existing B2B SMEs ready to invest, grow and create jobs and consists of 4 strands of grant support which are:
The HS2 Supply Chain Programme, offers grants of £20,000 - £200,000 towards project costs for supply chain companies which have, or are in the process of securing, or are preparing their company to be able to secure a contract for HS2.
The Green Bridge Supply Chain Programme, offers grants of £20,000 to £150,000 towards project costs for supply chain companies operating in, or diversifying into the green economy.
The Business Innovation Programme, offers grants of £10,000 - £30,000 towards project costs for SMEs investing in innovative close-to-market processes, products and services.
The Business Development Programme, offers grants of £10,000 - £20,000 towards project costs for businesses looking to expand, relocate and improve access to markets.
To find out more about how the Business Growth Programme can support your business, why not speak to one of our advisors who are on hand to guide you through the process. We are happy to talk through your project via a telephone call, or if you prefer, we can arrange a face-to-face appointment. Call your local Growth Hub or visit
www.birmingham.gov.uk/bgp to find out more details.
February 2017 CHAMBERLINK 21
The programme can only provide 1 grant from only one of the 4 strands of support. You cannot apply for separate grants from each strand.
Since its launch, 96 businesses have already benefitted from BGP grant support, which has unlocked £6.5m worth of project costs and created 298 job opportunities.
Case Study: RH Nuttall Ltd One company which has reaped the benefits is RH Nuttall Ltd. Based in Nechells Green, Birmingham, the company identified a demand for larger components to be produced at a speed beyond their capability, after receiving numerous enquiries for ceramic cut parts, a need for a cutting force higher than they could achieve. RH Nuttall manufactured an extensive bespoke range
of products for non-metallic goods and purchased a new automatic travelling head press and feed system, thanks to a £24,750 grant from the Business Innovation Programme. With a larger cutting bed, fully rotational cutting head
as well as a higher press power, it has now become achievable for the company to manufacture new material for new products, and produce larger parts, creating a lot more business opportunities. In addition to expanding the company’s production capabilities it will result in the creation of three new jobs by the end of April 2017.
www.rhnuttall.co.uk
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