£100,000 support for Bucks businesses (From Bucks Free Press)

£100,000 support for Bucks businesses

1:34pm Monday 15th June 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)

A COUNCIL has announced today that £100,000 is being made available to businesses in the county in a bid to help them beat the devastating effects of the recession.

The Business Challenge Fund has been launched by Buckinghamshire County Council and the Buckinghamshire Economic and Learning Partnership.

It will offer grants of up to £5,000 for companies of all sizes to help them invest in their future.

Cllr David Shakespeare, leader of the council said: “The county council knows that the business environment is incredibly tough and we want to help Buckinghamshire companies wherever we can. 

“Through the Business Challenge Fund we’re encouraging businesses to apply for funds that could help towards training needs, buying new equipment or creating new jobs.  We hope this will be a welcome financial boost to help firms through the recession and prosper in the future.”

The funding will only be available for the next three months and applications will be assesses by impartial advisors from the Business Link organisation.

Alex Pratt, Chairman of the Buckinghamshire Economic and Learning Partnership, said: “Buckinghamshire is the entrepreneurial heart of Britain and is alive with innovative and successful businesses.  Getting funding to bring new ideas, projects and products to market is difficult enough in the present economic climate.  This is where the Business Challenge Funding could help bridge the gap.  I would strongly urge businesses in Buckinghamshire to think about where and how they could benefit from this financial support and apply quickly, as this funding will not be around for ever.”

To qualify for funding, businesses first need to fill out an application form and state in no more than 500 words what the grant will be used for, why and by when.

Application forms can be downloaded at www.belp.co.uk, www.businesslink.gov.uk or by going to www.buckscc.gov.uk and clicking on 'business'.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)