Carmarthenshire business fund praised
The simplicity of a new investment fund aimed at supporting small and medium sized companies in south west Wales has been praised by businesses who have successfully secured grant awards.
Businesses who successfully applied for funding from the South West Wales Local Investment Fund (LIF) welcomed the scheme during a networking lunch hosted by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The fund aims to increase the number of firms in the region and offer better support to existing companies.
Grants of up to £5,000 are being offered as part of the project, with equipment, premises improvement, one-off marketing costs, website development and specialist software all eligible.
One of those who have been successful is Neil Wilkinson, director of Newcastle Emlyn-based BCC IT Solutions.
His company provides IT services ranging from support contracts to maintenance, remote monitoring to wireless networks.
He has praised the LIF scheme for the simple way it is administered, which saves companies valuable time and effort.
“The process this scheme has implemented is really good for companies – it is really simple as all you have to do is fill out a short expression of interest form which the team can quickly assess and let you know if you would be eligible before you fill in the full application,” he said.
“I find this really good as a lot of businesses are critical of funding because they haven’t got the time to spend hours on an application only to find out they are not eligible.”
Mr Wilkinson heard about the scheme after developing a good relationship with Carmarthenshire County Council’s business development team.
He said the grant has enabled the company to reach wider business opportunities.
“The funding has enabled us to put new infrastructure in place which allows us to go out to companies and provide key IT services – which we wouldn’t have been able to do without this investment.”
Carmarthenshire County Council is leading the project in partnership with neighbouring authorities in Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Neath Port Talbot, along with the West Wales Chamber of Commerce.
The £19.3 million scheme has received £8.9million of European Convergance funding, and aims to create 1,000 jobs, support 1,400 companies and set up 400 new enterprises over the next six years.
Simon Richards, the authority’s business services manager, said: “This investment is helping to strengthen the economic base of this region by creating jobs, improving business competitiveness and by bringing increased prosperity to the region.
“It was great to host a networking lunch to congratulate the companies that have been successful in securing LIF grants, and to further strengthen the good relationships our team has with local businesses across the county.”
For further information call the Local Investment Fund Team on 01267 242391, or email lif@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Businesses who successfully applied for funding from the South West Wales Local Investment Fund (LIF) welcomed the scheme during a networking lunch hosted by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The fund aims to increase the number of firms in the region and offer better support to existing companies.
Grants of up to £5,000 are being offered as part of the project, with equipment, premises improvement, one-off marketing costs, website development and specialist software all eligible.
One of those who have been successful is Neil Wilkinson, director of Newcastle Emlyn-based BCC IT Solutions.
His company provides IT services ranging from support contracts to maintenance, remote monitoring to wireless networks.
He has praised the LIF scheme for the simple way it is administered, which saves companies valuable time and effort.
“The process this scheme has implemented is really good for companies – it is really simple as all you have to do is fill out a short expression of interest form which the team can quickly assess and let you know if you would be eligible before you fill in the full application,” he said.
“I find this really good as a lot of businesses are critical of funding because they haven’t got the time to spend hours on an application only to find out they are not eligible.”
Mr Wilkinson heard about the scheme after developing a good relationship with Carmarthenshire County Council’s business development team.
He said the grant has enabled the company to reach wider business opportunities.
“The funding has enabled us to put new infrastructure in place which allows us to go out to companies and provide key IT services – which we wouldn’t have been able to do without this investment.”
Carmarthenshire County Council is leading the project in partnership with neighbouring authorities in Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Neath Port Talbot, along with the West Wales Chamber of Commerce.
The £19.3 million scheme has received £8.9million of European Convergance funding, and aims to create 1,000 jobs, support 1,400 companies and set up 400 new enterprises over the next six years.
Simon Richards, the authority’s business services manager, said: “This investment is helping to strengthen the economic base of this region by creating jobs, improving business competitiveness and by bringing increased prosperity to the region.
“It was great to host a networking lunch to congratulate the companies that have been successful in securing LIF grants, and to further strengthen the good relationships our team has with local businesses across the county.”
For further information call the Local Investment Fund Team on 01267 242391, or email lif@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
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