Could you benefit from Shropshire’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund projects?
On Friday 10 May 2024 businesses and individuals will have the chance to discover how they could benefit from Shropshire’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund monies.
For the past year over £15m, secured by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund team at Shropshire Council, has been actively supporting and making a difference to the lives of people and businesses across Shropshire.
“Shropshire Expo: Business Support, Skills and Championing Your Community” is at Shrewsbury Town FC’s stadium on Friday 10 May 2024 from 11am-2pm. It includes an exhibition and presentations on the active projects across the county.
Gary Spence, Shropshire Council’s external funding and technical lead officer in the business growth and investment team, said:-
“The aim of the event is to get businesses, individuals, and community organisations together to network but also to find out what support is available to them from the numerous UK Shared Prosperity Fund projects we are currently funding.
“There is a raft of business support programmes, but businesses will also discover how they can get involved in their local communities and offer support for those seeking employment.
“For individuals, there is help around upskilling and how to find work. For community and voluntary organisations, the event offers a chance for promotion and engagement with local businesses.
“Representatives from all the projects will be on hand to talk in person to visitors about their projects and guide them through the process of accessing the support. “
The diverse range of programmes available under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund includes assistance for starting a business, business growth and expansion, innovation, prototyping, manufacturing, energy-saving initiatives, tourism development, leadership and management coaching, as well as improving digital and numeracy skills.
There are also initiatives to support businesses in generally upskilling their workforce through access to educational support, retraining and qualifications including vocational licences. However, and perhaps most importantly of all, the support on offer is free to anyone wanting to take advantage of it.
Mark Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for growth and regeneration, said:-
“ Our UK Shared Prosperity Fund team and the providers who have formulated these projects are to be applauded. The funding has facilitated a comprehensive programme of support for businesses and individuals, as well as highlighting the work of the voluntary sector across the county. From the projects on offer, it is clear the funding is already making a substantial contribution to the economy of Shropshire. I urge people to attend this event and take advantage of the free support available to them.”
To find out more, see who should attend and to book, please see The Shropshire Expo: Business Support, Skills & Championing your Community
Further information
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the Government’s levelling up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
For information about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Shropshire see:
https://www.investinshropshire.co.uk/relocating-and-investing/uk-shared-prosperity-fund/
For more information on the range of projects currently being supported in Shropshire please see
https://www.investinshropshire.co.uk/uk-shared-prosperity-projects/
