Type=image;ImageID=4032;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Black Country GOLD which is funded by the ERDF;TitleClass=strong;
Black Country GOLD, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and administered by Wolverhampton City Council, gives small to medium sized enterprises the opportunity to apply for a grant up to £16,000.
The first 7 applications to be approved for funding saw over £65,000 in grants distributed to companies in Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell and Dudley, helping create 11 new jobs in the process. In total 69 eligible Expressions of Interest were received from businesses and these are now being supported to develop their grant applications.
The second round of the scheme begins today (19 May) and will run until 30 June.
As well as grants of up to £16,000, which must be match funded by the firms, a full package of support including workshops and one to one business support is also provided.
Tim Johnson, Wolverhampton City Council's Strategic Director for Education and Enterprise, said: "This excellent initiative has already paid dividends for companies across the region.
"While the current economic climate has been challenging for small to medium firms, there is a real hunger in the business community to expand, create new jobs and prosper.
"We are therefore delighted to be able to give a helping hand to support this drive.
"Our officers have already received a lot of interest from businesses interested in Black Country GOLD and we expect to be handing out many more grants to support enterprises in the coming weeks."
Anyone interested in applying for grants and finding out more about Black Country Gold should contact Jagtar Singh on 01902 551997 or via email on Jagtar.singh@wolverhampton.gov.uk
- released: Monday 19 May, 2014