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FUNDING is now available through the SSI Task Force for a wide range of Tees Valley companies that want to grow, in addition to helping those directly affected by the closure of the The team at Tees Valley Business Compass wants to hear from companies interested in making It is the team’s role to support ambitious businesses to realise their growth potential by unlocking finance and funding streams.

The Tees Valley Business Support Schemes – available through the SSI Task Force - includes the Business Advice Start Up Fund, the Jobs and Skills Fund, the Supply Chain Support Scheme, a Capital Grant Scheme and the Tees Valley Small Grant Scheme.

The Jobs and Skills Fund - worth £16.5m - has already helped create more than 70 new jobs, while firms in the SSI supply chain and others in Tees Valley have been able to create and safeguard over 200 jobs with help from the other support funds available.

Francis Brown Ltd is one of many local businesses that’s already taken advantage of the funding on offer.

The Stockton-based family-run engineering and fabrication company has more than 110 years’ Managing Director, Jamie Brown, recruited three former steelworkers, Roy Lambert, Alan Rowlands and Brian Scaife.

The three previously worked in the high level engineering and structural engineering departments at SSI, with a combined experience of over 45 years.

Amanda Skelton, Chair of the SSI Task Force and Chief Executive of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: “The Task Force remains fully committed to helping people, communities and businesses affected by the closure of SSI.

“We have made good progress so far, with over 1,000 people back in work or training, but there are still many people facing challenges getting back into work. “

With funding still available businesses from across Tees Valley are invited to call the team at Tees Valley Business Compass and take advantage of the help available.

The team can help companies apply for the Capital Grant Scheme, which aims to support all supply chain companies affected by the closure of SSI plus most Tees Valley manufacturing and service sector companies offering more than a local service.

They can also support companies wanting to apply for the Jobs and Skills Fund - a wage subsidy scheme to enable businesses in Tees Valley and surrounding areas to create new job opportunities and employ former SSI workers, their spouses or partners.

The scheme subsidises the cost of employment for each new job created for a minimum of three years with a payment of 50% of the basic salary costs in the first two years of employment up to a maximum of £11,000 per employee.

Call the team at Tees Valley Business Compass on 01642 939386 to find out more or visit www.teesbusinesscompass.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tees Valley Unlimited .