Shropshire businesses awarded £84,000 worth of funding

The Shropshire and Herefordshire Business Enterprise Fund has awarded a staggering £84,000 of grants to 24 businesses, creating 16 jobs and nine new businesses. 

Projects supported to date have included the creation of mezzanine floors, commercial printing presses, and purchases of major machinery such as lathes, walk-in freezers and laser cutters.  

Two tourism businesses have also been supported to create an additional 1,050 room nights per year in the county. 

All successful businesses have been able to demonstrate a step change in performance with the creation of 16 additional full time equivalent jobs, and eight people have been helped to start a business. 

The Business Enterprise Fund totals £1.1 million and will run until December 2013.  

Councillor Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for growth and prosperity, said:

“This is a great fund which can really help existing businesses or people wishing to start a business, especially in this current economic climate. 

“Although £84,000 has already been used to support local businesses, more is available.” 

The Shropshire and Herefordshire Business Enterprise Fund has £1.1m to support new and existing businesses within the two local administrative areas.  

Grants are available of up to £1,500 for new and young businesses under nine months and £5,000 for more established businesses.  The next round of the fund closes on Monday 30 April 2012. 

Due to European regulations, there are restrictions on the type of businesses that can apply.  Ineligible sectors include retail and land-based; however, tourism businesses that are not part of a working farm business are able to be supported.  To find out more about the support on offer, people can contact Shropshire Council on 01743 252596 or visit shropshire.gov.uk/sbef.