LEP SECURES £40M GROWTH DEAL FOR GREATER LINCOLNSHIRE

The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has welcomed today's announcement of a £40 million funding boost for Greater Lincolnshire – with a further £27.5m earmarked for the future.

The Government’s Growth Deal, which the LEP and its partners have been negotiating for nine months, will give Greater Lincolnshire new resources and powers to build infrastructure, create jobs and train local people.

Projects which have secured funding from the Growth Deal for 2015-16 are:

•    Grantham Southern Relief Road – £16 million
•    Boston Quadrant – £4.75 million
•    Boole Technology Centre, Lincoln – £3.38 million
•    Unlocking Rural Housing – £4.13 million
•    Bishop Burton College – £7.5  million
•    Skegness Countryside Business Park (including western relief road) – £4 million

“The deal we have secured represents a major boost to our economy,” said Ursula Lidbetter, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, which has been negotiating with Whitehall and Cities Minister Greg Clarke to secure the £39.86 million deal.

“We have worked very hard to achieve this very positive outcome in the face of some stiff competition from other regions.

"From the moment we were invited by Government to put together our strategic economic plan, we worked with our local partners to develop our assets and address our key economic challenges across Greater Lincolnshire before outlining the proposals that will bring about sustained economic growth.

"Not only will the Growth Deal support job creation, it will also improve our skills base and allow us to invest in our infrastructure to meet the economic needs of the future.”

Councillor Martin Hill, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We put in a strong bid with a range of exciting projects which demonstrate Lincolnshire's potential for growth.

"And the size of this investment clearly shows that we've convinced Government that the county is a good place to do business.

"I'm particularly pleased with the significant contribution towards Grantham's southern relief road, which will be of real benefit to the town both in easing congestion and driving economic growth.

“We can now focus on bringing all these ambitious plans to fruition, helping to both safeguard and create jobs locally.”

The Growth Deal was a nationally competitive process. The funding award covers a two-year period from 2015-16 and will focus on investment in the six key projects listed above.

Overall the projects will create 1,857 new jobs, deliver 2,300 new houses and lever in an additional £94 million in investment.

A further £27.48 million has been earmarked for spending in 2016-17 subject to additional information and approval. The projects which would benefit are as follows:

•    Grantham College – £2.28 million
•    Transport Hub in Lincoln – £11 million
•    Access to Employment  A16/A46 – £4.2 million
•    Lincoln East- West Growth Corridor – £3.1 million
•    Skegness Sustainable Transport – £4.0 million
•    Lincolnshire Lakes Blue and Green Infrastructure, Scunthorpe – £2.9 million

Councillor Chris Shaw, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is really exciting news and demonstrates that once again North East Lincolnshire Council is securing funds to assist the industries in our area to flourish.

“There is no escaping that we have seen some challenges in this industry over recent years but we have also seen some fantastic investments too.

"Securing these funds with the support of one of our key partners means we will see further investment in the area which will stimulate the local economy, create jobs and supports the council's key priorities to create a stronger economy and stronger communities.”

£2MILLION FUNDING AVAILABLE TO LINCOLNSHIRE BUSINESSES

If you would like to know how your business could benefit from the new funding, please contact the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce on 01522 523333 or email Simon.Beardsley@Lincs-Chamber.co.uk.  

Greater Lincolnshire has been awarded a £2 million RGF bid to support local businesses to grow and reach their full potential.

Simon Beardsley, CEO Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce

The Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce has been successful in bidding for the Regional Growth Fund award, following support from the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Lincolnshire County Council.

The pot of money, called the Greater Lincolnshire Business Capital Growth Fund, is a capital grant programme which will provide grant funding on a competitive basis and support for businesses in preparing an application.

Grants ranging between £10,000 and £250,000 will be available to local businesses and inward investors who can demonstrate sound business growth investment proposals linked to significant job creation. It is expected the programme will create 234 direct jobs and 66 supply chain jobs, as well as safeguarding 63 existing positions.

Simon Beardsley, Chief Executive of the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, said he is delighted with the award. “We have been listening hard to what our members and county businesses have been saying about the challenges they face accessing business finance,” he said.

“As a result we have actively searched for new funding streams that will help address the problem. This news will be most welcome to companies that have high growth potential but need financial support to make the next move.

“The dedicated business advisor will be beneficial to SMEs who have growth potential but may have been put off in the past by the amount of paperwork needed to benefit from such a scheme.

“Through the RGF funds, our emphasis will be on helping Greater Lincolnshire companies grow and develop, which in turn will create new jobs and support the local economy. And giving businesses access to finance which will support their capital expenditure aspirations will also put them on a level playing field with other regions of the UK that have benefited from this support in the past.”

Cllr Colin Davie from the LEP board added: “This funding will support local businesses to grow and reach their full potential by financing things such as a move to a bigger premises or investment in new plant machinery and equipment. It is an opportunity for our region to continue to grow and be known as a place to do business.”

The programme will be managed by the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce with support from the LEP, Lincolnshire County Council and the FSB.

If you would like to know how your business could benefit from the new funding, please contact the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce on 01522 523333 or email Simon.Beardsley@Lincs-Chamber.co.uk. 

For more information on the Greater Lincolnshire LEP visit www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk or follow @GreaterLincsLEP on Twitter.

FREE PROGRAMME TO HELP COASTAL BUSINESSES THRIVE AND PROSPER

Along the Lincolnshire Coast from Cleethorpes in the North, right down to Boston in the South, there is an exciting new FREE programme to help coastal businesses thrive and prosper.

The Greater Lincolnshire Coastal Business Development Programme works in two parts:

1. Click to Prosper: Boost your profits through better use of IT, the web, social media and online sales

We offer FREE training and guidance on the best way to use IT for businesses on our Click to Prosper training and business support programme.

You'll firstly attend a FREE two day workshop spread over two weeks in a local coastal venue. We'll cover a range of IT and web-related topics - for example:

• How to minimise IT and website costs
• Using online sales to grow your business
• Reviewing where social media opportunities such as Trip Advisor, Facebook or Twitter can boost your business
• Getting found on Google
• Mobile IT for business

2. Retail Rejuvenation: gain customers, improve profits and (for tourist businesses) how to extend your season

Our FREE Retail Rejuvenation 1-day workshop and 1-day diagnostic programme for retailers will help you move your retail business to the next level.

With our experienced Retail Development Specialist, (Corin Birchall of Kerching Retail), you will explore the latest retail thinking, opportunities and challenges.

The workshops cover a range of areas where retailers can boost turnover and profits including:  

• Merchandising and Display
• Seasonal Promotions, including digital display
• Store Atmosphere
• Pricing
• Outstanding customer service 

After the training, you will receive a full store assessment report with key findings and recommendations on your retail outlet.

You will also have access to a comprehensive retail guide, and we will help you produce an individual action plan to develop your retail business.

Plus:

• Grant Scheme: financial help to support your business development

You will then have the option of applying for a grant of up to £1000 to help implement your action plan.

START UP LOANS

Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce can help you apply and receive a Start Up Business Loan. The scheme itself is funded by the Government, and helps Lincolnshire entrepreneurs get access to loans and business mentors.

Start Up Loans is helping to kick start an entire generation of entrepreneurs, encouraging thousands to be their own boss. With a Start Up Loan you’ll not only be given support in the loan application process, but you’ll also be assigned a business mentor who can help you develop your business ideas into a feasible business plan - which will help increase your chances of success.

Once your loan is approved, the Lincolnshire Chamber will find you a mentor to help guide you through the entrepreneurial journey.

What’s the benefit?
Borrow between £5,000 and £10,000 to kick-start your business, and be assured that the repayments will be low and controlled*.

As well as this you will also be given a whole year of one-to-one advice from a business mentor.

Business criteria
To be eligible for this funding, you must be over 18 years old, and a start up business with less than 12 months of trading under your belt.
Get Involved

If you have a question, would like more information, or want to active your Start Up Loan application call the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce on 10522 846930, email Chris.Brown@Lincs-Chamber.co.uk or call the Start Up Loan Business Advisor Carol Braton on 07782 106641.

*Participating in the Start Up Loan programme does not guarantee the funding will be awarded. Applications will be assessed in relation to a number of factors including perceived risk, business viability and individual need. You will be required to pay back the loan within four years at a fixed rate of interest of 6%.

ACCOUNTANCY FIRM HELPS SMALL FOOD AND DRINK BUSINESSES GO FOR GROWTH

Twenty thousand small businesses are set to receive up to £2,000 of support from firms like Duncan & Toplis thanks to a new Government scheme.

Duncan & Toplis, a leading firm of chartered accountants and business advisers, and its sister company Queensgate Management (East Midlands) LLP are listed on the Enterprise Nation Marketplace website and will be offering strategic advice and guidance as part of the Growth Vouchers programme.

Qualifying businesses can use their voucher to help pay for assistance with their finances to allow them to grow.

Duncan & Toplis and Queensgate Management can offer advice and consultancy on raising finance and managing cashflow.

The advice could be used to develop a financial strategy for growth, raise additional finance, secure new investors or improve a company’s financial management skills.

The Enterprise Nation Marketplace is part of the Government’s £30m Growth Vouchers programme, which launched on 27th January 2014. The aim of the programme is to test how best to help small businesses grow through the use of subsidised business advice.

Businesses looking for advice can apply online and some will be selected to receive a voucher for up to £2,000 to help pay for in-depth strategic advice and business support in one of five specialist areas:

• raising finance and managing cashflow 
• recruiting and developing staff 
• improving leadership and management skills 
• marketing, attracting and keeping customers 
• making the most of digital technology 

“The margin between success and failure for a small business can be very narrow, and timely, expert advice can make a crucial difference,” said Damon Brain, a Partner at Duncan & Toplis.

“We know that our clients find our strategic business advice extremely beneficial, but sometimes small businesses can’t afford the best advice without some assistance.

“That’s why we applaud this new scheme as it will give a real helping hand to the entrepreneurs and SMEs that are the backbone of British business.”

Small businesses which receive a voucher have to match the amount with their own funds before finding a Growth Voucher adviser to work with.

Growth Vouchers cannot be used to subsidise practical advice on how to tackle specific tasks relating to running a business, but should be spent on strategic advice that will lead to growth.

If you would like to talk to Duncan & Toplis about the Growth Vouchers programme, contact Damon Brain by emailing damon.brain@duntop.co.uk or by calling 01522 507000.

ONE VOICE - FUNDING AND LOBBYING SUPPORT

At Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce we manage Select Lincolnshire for Food and work on your behalf to represent Lincolnshire food and farming businesses throughout the county, at many partner levels.

One of our partners is the Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture.

Improving Communication 
The Agriculture and Horticulture forum would like to improve its communications with Lincolnshire food and farming businesses, and have asked for our help.

Through the Lincolnshire Chamber, you're well connected 
Your Lincolnshire Chamber has direct links to the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) and lobbying links to Central Government, as does the Agri Forum.Ursula Lidbetter Chair of GLLEP is also Chair of Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Updates on funding can be found here. Or if you want to sign up to food consumer and business updates, you can do through the Select Lincolnshire for Food newsletter [ sign up here]. Questions about Select Lincolnshire for Food can be sent to Gillian Richardson Business Development Manager.

For additional information and networking please see the message below from Mark Tinsley.

Mark Tinsely, Chair of Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture

Mark Tinsely

Our Forum is made up of representatives from the farming and food sectors, as well as local authorities and public bodies. The Forum is part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affair's Rural and Farming Network. This means that we act as a direct line between Lincolnshire's rural businesses and central government which allows us to lobby Ministers on the issues which matter most for Lincolnshire's rural economy. We also have excellent links with the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) as I am a member of the LEP board.

The Forum is in the process of improving its communications with the businesses we are here to represent. In particular we need to be able to contact our agri-food businesses directly. We want to be able to tell about the events we are holding, the funding that is available for businesses which we have the networks to put you in contact with, projects we are involved in that can help your businesses and to canvass your opinions when we lobby the GLLEP or central government.

It is to this end that I would like to request your consent for us to add you to our emailing list. If you are happy for us to email you with information on some of the issues I outlined above, please email AgriForum@lincolnshire.gov.uk with 'YES' in the subject title of your email. I'd also encourage you to follow our Twitter account, which is @LincsAgriforum


Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Tinsely

Chair of Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture

50% GRANTS FOR WEB DEVELOPMENT, DIGITAL MARKETING & ICT

If you’re thinking of investing between £4,000 and £20,000 on web development, digital marketing or a transformational ICT project in the next six months, and are located within certain areas in the East Midlands there is now 50% grant funding available for eligible projects.

Project Details
The Transformational ICT project is being led by the Derbyshire and Chamber of Commerce (DNCC) who have received European Regional Developing Funding (ERDF) to manage and deliver the Transformational ICT – phase 2 (T-ICT2) services from 1 October 2013 to 30 June 2015. There is up to £650,000 of matched funds available to provide business with grant support for projects and consultancy.

What Businesses Are Eligible For the 50% Funding?
Like most EU funded projects you have to be an SME (below 250 employees) and located in certain postcode areas, to be eligible for funding. These are known as Priority 2 (PA2) areas and include Lincolnshire: Lincoln City, Boston, East Lindsey.

Types of Project & Technologies Supported

If your activity is listed below, it IS eligible:

• Website Development 
• Hardware/Software
• Bespoke Software Application
• Mobile App Development 
• ICT System Integration
• Intranet/Extra Net 
• Unified Communications

If your activity is listed below, it is NOT eligible: 

• Training Only Projects e.g. Excel Training
• Non-IT Related
• Own Staff Time
• Rental Equipment
• Design & Printed Materials
• Double Funded Projects
• Ad Spend for Online Advertising Like PPC
• Replacing Old Equipment With New (Wear & Tear)

How can you be helped?
Anicca is the biggest AdWords agency in the Midlands with 10 Google accredited staff. In addition, we have two other dedicated teams offering web content, blogging and search engine optimisation (SEO), social, email and content marketing; and technical web development, web integration, tool/app development, mobile responsive websites, ecommerce technology and data feeds

In total there is now a team of 20 in the Leicester office, which allows it to offer a full service for nearly all businesses wanting to promote themselves (or sell) online.

The sort of projects that it can help you with includes:

• Consultancy and advice on developing your digital marketing strategy or your new start-up online business
• New websites design and development from a relatively simple mobile responsive WordPress site to a complex database driven site
• Converting existing websites into mobile responsive sites or developing an app
• Ecommerce websites using Magento or PrestaShop
• Integration of websites with other systems, such as finance order processing, product feeds
• Analytics and conversion rate optimisation to include forensic insight and landing page or shopping cart testing
• Content marketing, including SEO, web content, blogging, social, email, marketing automation software and integration
• Paid advertising strategy, set-up and management (3rd party ad spend is not eligible for grant funding)
• Use of software and tools; including, email marketing, CRM, content/marketing automation, search, social and Analytics tools

Whatever your project Anicca can provide an initial audit and review of your existing website and marketing and provide you with some recommendations and costings.

The Application Process
The application process is in two stages, an initial expression of interest and a more detailed application. There has already been huge demand therefore expression of interest needs to be submitted by end-February. The second stage is to identify your preferred supplier and provide three quotes. Anicca will be happy to provide you with guidance on the types of projects that are likely to be acceptable, to help you with the application process, provide you with a quote and of course to actually carryout your project for you.

Launch Events
Launch events are happening now so if you would be interested in qualifying, get in touch with us so we can put your forward and aid in the application and delivery of the grant.

Contact Details
If you’re interested in applying for the grant or would like more information, please phone 01162 983726 or alternatively email Anicca

£9m FOR RURAL BUSINESSES

Rural businesses in Greater Lincolnshire will benefit from nearly £9 million of funding thanks to the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The LEP has been allocated £8,782,191 from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) to help stimulate growth, develop skills and boost the local economy through rural businesses.

It is expected to be used to develop knowledge and skills in rural areas and fund new and developing rural businesses not connected to agriculture. It will also fund small-scale renewable and broadband investments improving infrastructure as well as supporting tourism activities in rural areas.

Ruth Carver, Manager of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “This is an important allocation for us to get and one we worked hard for, so we are delighted with this award.

“We invested a lot of time in lobbying on a national level to make it clear that Greater Lincolnshire, as a largely rural region, deserved to be given an amount which reflected our needs. This funding will go a long way towards securing the economic future of our area, allowing us to build and strengthen the local economy in a sustainable way.”

This latest round of funding complements £110 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF) announced in June which will be used to provide training schemes, fund support for local businesses and enable economic development projects, such as the creation of much-needed business premises and other infrastructure.

Read the plan
The first draft of LEP's ambitious plan has been published. Its aim is to increase the value of the local economy by £3.2 billion by 2023. Read the draft plan.