Firms in York encouraged to take advantage of funding opportunities

 
Issued by City of York Council

City of York Council is actively encouraging firms in York to take full advantage of funding opportunities in the Leeds City Region by placing a bid for investment.

The Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership is currently offering grants of between £10,000 and £1m to businesses who are looking to make capital investment in land, buildings, plants, machinery and equipment, or towards research and development projects which will lead to new products and job creation in the Leeds City Region, including in York.

The scheme involves a simple application process and is open to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) operating in the following sectors (although other firms may be eligible to apply):

· Advanced manufacturing

· Life sciences and related industries

· Digital and creative industries

· Low carbon and environmental industries

· Financial and business services.

The fund can meet up to 20 percent of the total cost of investment and must help to create jobs.

Councillor James Alexander, Labour Leader of City of York Council and Leeds City Region Board member said: “This is a great opportunity for businesses in the city of York to receive funding to invest and create jobs.

“Job creation in the city is a huge issue and one that we are constantly looking at so it is good news that investment is being made to help create jobs.

“The arrival of Hiscox shows that York is seen as a good place to invest in and create jobs, hopefully some other businesses will be able to do the same off the back of this funding.”

A York based firm, The Mercers of Yorkshire, have recently been supported through the scheme. The family-owned suppliers and manufacturers of award winning preserves and condiments successfully secured a contribution of £20,000 towards the costs of a new labelling and filling machine.

Paul Mercer, company owner, said: “The grant from Leeds City Region LEP enabled us to significantly upgrade our plant production facilities which will in turn enable us to take on new staff.

“The application process proved to be quick and easy – I would certainly encourage other firms considering any kind of capital expansion to consider the Leeds City Region Business Growth Programme.

The fund will remain open until all grant monies are allocated, but firms are advised that interest in the scheme across the wider region is high. The £20 million fund has proved so successful that the Government are committing a further £5.7 million to the scheme.

For more information on the fund please visit the Leeds City Region LEP website.

For more information York firms can enquire directly to the Leeds Local Enterprise Partnership support team, but for an informal discussion about the grant programme please contact Adam Gray or Andrew Sharp at City of York Council on 01904 551053 or 01904 555834.

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