More than 4,200 businesses boosted by Leeds City Region growth service

More than 4,200 businesses across the region have received a boost from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) Growth Service since launching in 2015.

This includes investment totalling £20.8m in grant funding for new premises, machinery and equipment to create jobs and apprenticeships.

The LEP Growth Service, working in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, has received funding through Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1bn package of Government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.

Businesses contacting the Growth Service can get access to a range of support available from the LEP and its wider network of partners - from funding for startups and early stage companies through AD:VENTURE, to support for developing new products and processes.

Support is also available for companies who want to improve their digital capabilities, explore opportunities to trade overseas, develop the skills of their staff, take on apprentices, enable their employees to travel cheaply and sustainably, and save money on their energy bills.

Over 150 businesses have accessed support from the LEP’s Resource Efficiency Fund, launched a year ago, with 72 grants awarded totalling £530k.

Roger Marsh OBE, chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said: “A strong, successful City Region economy is underpinned by the thousands of businesses that startup, grow and thrive here.

“We have some fantastic businesses in our region, but it can be hard sometimes for them to find the right support to take that next step on their business journey. Our Growth Service makes finding the right support much easier, and I’m delighted that we’ve supported well over 4,000 businesses in the past two and half years.

“Creating an environment that supports and encourages business growth is key to achieving the region’s Strategic Economic Plan and our Growth Service is doing just that. I encourage all businesses to pick up the phone and find out about the support available for growing businesses at every stage of their development.”

In addition to the support available through the LEP Growth Service helpline and website, a 13-strong team of locally based Growth Mangers also provide one-to- one support.

Cllr Tim Swift, West Yorkshire Combined Authority lead for business, innovation and growth, commented: “I am delighted that businesses across Leeds City Region are benefiting from the wide range of support available through the Growth Service.

“Capital grant investment has led to the creation of over 1700 local jobs so far, which is very welcome news for the local economy and most importantly for the people who live, work and run businesses here.”