Businesses have until December 9 to apply for a share of £300 million, allocated to projects likely to increase jobs and investment in the UK and should find out about their entitlement to it as soon as possible.
So far £2.6 billion has been distributed through four previous rounds of Regional Growth Funding. The government say this has supported more than 400 projects and will safeguard hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Round five is open to private sector businesses seeking larger amounts of money – at least a million pounds, to carry out high-quality projects – and the MCI is encouraging members to apply. To qualify, the projects should generate sustainable jobs and attract further investment into the local economy.
Applications for smaller amounts will also be considered, if they are submitted by businesses working together on a single project, so long as the total amount required is a million pounds or more.
A guiding document setting out five top tips for success in obtaining this funding has been produced by Lord Heseltine and there is a series of road shows being held across the UK for interested businesses.
There are four road shows remaining but pre-registration is required, so it would be prudent to check the Government UK website as soon as possible. https://www.gov.uk/understanding-the-regional-growth-fund
Roadshows:
25 Oct – Huddersfield, Yorkshire and Humber; 5 Nov – Plymouth, South West; 13 Nov – Liverpool, North West; 14 Nov – Birmingham, West Midlands
There is also a second meeting for the East Midlands in Nottingham on 8 November.
Apply for your slice of £300m, says MCI
