A roadshow is to be staged in Coventry this month to help businesses apply for a share of £200 million of government funding.
Round six of the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is open to limited companies and universities in England. Bids for funding must be at least £1million in size. For every £1 of public funding bidders should include at least £1 of private sector funding.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), which boasts a fantastic success rate in securing funds and working with businesses to apply for RGF funds, is encouraging companies across the area in all sectors to submit their bids for funding ahead of the closing date of noon on Tuesday, September 30.
As part of the process, a roadshow has been organised by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) for potential bidders at Coventry University’s Engineering Computing Building in Gulson Road on Tuesday, July 29 at 10am and registrations to attend can be emailed to [email protected].
Jonathan Browning, chairman of CWLEP, said the RGF supported companies who added their own investment to the government grant for projects which created economic growth and jobs.
He said: “All five rounds of the RGF have helped a wide range of companies in Coventry and Warwickshire from engineering to manufacturing to construction and has made a real difference to those businesses being able to invest in new machinery or new premises which has also created jobs.
“We have had a great deal of success at the CWLEP in helping companies secure funding by giving advice on completing the application forms which had made a real difference to businesses located throughout the sub-region from rural areas to industrial parks.
“Our help has been particularly useful for micro businesses who previously had no experience of applying for government grants and they are proof that companies should contact the CWLEP to see how we can help.
“There is at least £200 million available in the sixth round of RGF and we want to encourage companies who have never applied before or have perhaps tried but not been successful to have another go.
“At the roadshow, BIS will explain what the RGF is, what they are looking for from a good bid and how each application is judged which are all crucial before starting the application process.
“There will be the chance to ask questions in a Q&A session with the BIS panel which will made-up of one of their economists, a local business figure and a senior member of the RGF team.
“The feed-back from other roadshows which have been held has been positive because it is a great chance to ask questions or find out information about the RGF as well as get the best possible advice on how to fill out the application form which is really useful since starting the process can be a bit daunting.”
