Cash gift for small firms

Small businesses in Derbyshire can now bid for grants of up to £75,000 as part of a £3m drive to help firms develop and grow.

The Global Derbyshire Small Business Support Programme is offering the cash to cover up to half the cost of plans to grow, collaborate, innovate or export.

The programme will create a minimum of 200 new jobs, safeguard at least 48 more, and attract £4m of private sector investment into the county.

Councillor Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for jobs, economy and transport, said: “Small businesses are at the heart of the Derbyshire economy and we are committed to doing all we can to support them to flourish and compete in a global market.

“These are challenging economic times and small business might be thinking twice about committing necessary investment to grow their operations. The match funding available through the Global Derbyshire Small Business Support Programme might just give them the helping hand required to take the next step towards job creation.”

Grants are available within the four key strands of support for start-up businesses, business innovation and development, companies helping deliver the aims of Digital Derbyshire and export promotion

Richard Horsley, Chairman of the Derbyshire Economic Partnership, said: “We are delighted to be able to launch this exciting programme which confirms our commitment to and confidence in businesses across Derbyshire.

“The programme will look to support enterprise as flexibly as possible to ensure we stimulate the business growth and job creation required for the Derbyshire economy to recover strongly and contribute to the future prosperity of our wonderful county.”

The Regional Growth Fund is a flexible and competitive £3.2bn fund operating across England from 2011 up until 2017.

It supports projects and programmes that are using private sector investment to create economic growth and sustainable employment.

Funding will be available until 31st March 2015.

Businesses wanting more information should visit www.derbyshireeconomicpartnership.org.uk or call 01629 538244.

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