Partner Article

£20million programme available for green businesses

Coventry and Warwickshire businesses have been urged to apply for funding from a new £20 million programme to help SME supply chain companies develop, grow and diversify their businesses within the green sector.

The Green Bridge Supply Chain Programme is available to businesses in the region’s local enterprise partnership areas including the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP).

It is funded through the Government’s Regional Growth Fund and managed by Birmingham City Council.

The scheme is aimed at companies that operate within the green sector or those seeking to diversify or set-up within the sector such as renewable energy, low carbon, building technologies, manufacturing, transport and logistics.

Grant support of between £20,000 and £100,000 is available to develop new markets, new products, new processes, skills development and the purchase of capital equipment and refurbishing premises.

However, applications for funding of over £100,000 may be considered where applicants can demonstrate significant economic benefits.

The first round of funding is now open and the deadline for the submission of applications is August 9, 2013 and all projects will need to be completed by March 2015.

Jim Allen, who is a member of the Energy Business Group at CWLEP and is chairman of the Renewable Energy Technology Alliance (RETA), said the Green Bridge Supply Chain Programme had been launched to build on the good work already carried out in the green technology sector.

“The benefits of this scheme are two-fold,” he said. “Firstly, it will enable specialist companies already working in this important industry to apply for support to further improve their innovative work and to be more streamlined.

“Secondly, it will give a helping hand to SMEs who are not termed as green specialists to introduce more energy efficient ways of working which will benefit the environment and their profit margin.

“There is no doubt that working in a more joined-up sustainable manner, has a positive effect in terms of running businesses more smoothly, which boosts the region’s economy and can also lead to the creation of more jobs; which is key to the ethos of the CWLEP.”

To help companies apply for support from the Green Bridge Supply Chain Programme, a number of sessions have been organised to meet with advisers at Birmingham City Council offices, Baskerville House, Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2ND.

These will take place between 9.30am and 5pm between Monday, June 24-Friday, June 28, and Monday, July 1 to Friday, July 5.

Demand for appointments is expected to be high and booking early is recommended. Appointments will be allocated on a first come/first served basis, and 30-minute slots can be reserved by emailing greenbridge@birmingham.gov.uk

Further information specifically for Coventry and Warwickshire businesses on how to apply can be found at www.coventry.gov.uk/businessgrantsandloans

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership .