Partner Article

Heseltine urges North East firms to bid for new cash pot

LORD HESELTINE was in the region yesterday encouraging North East businesses and entrepreneurs to bid for cash from the Government’s flagship £1.4bn Regional Growth Fund.

More than 150 local business, entrepreneurs and civic leaders were expected to attend the event at the Xcel Centre in Newton Aycliffe, Co. Durham.

Lord Heseltine met with potential applicants for the Fund to advise them on the bidding process and encourage them to come forward with high-quality proposals that promise to unleash local talent and help communities in the North East to flourish.

Lord Heseltine, Chair of the Independent Advisory Panel, said: “I’m delighted to be here in the North East as an advocate for this important Fund.

“The Government is putting local people at the heart of decision-making, empowering them to develop their own vision for long-term local growth and allowing them to make important and innovative decisions that impact on their communities.”

The Regional Growth Fund will operate over three years.

The first of at least three bidding rounds is now open and the deadline for proposals is 21 January 2010. Further bidding rounds will be announced in early 2011.

He added: “The Regional Growth Fund presents an opportunity for businesses and entrepreneurs in the North East to help shape their own economic future.

“I hope today’s road show will inspire local people to think strategically about their area’s priorities and I encourage them to come forward with compelling funding proposals that promise to deliver a positive change to the local economy; bringing new jobs and benefits to local people.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .