Follow the links below for some useful business-related
news:
New round of EEDA's Proof of Market grants launched
27 July 2010
The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has launched a new
round of Proof of Market grants. This allows local businesses and
budding entrepreneurs in the East of England to apply for up to
£20,000 to help test the commercial potential of a new ideas for a
product or process.
Local businesses have until 5pm on Friday 10 September to apply
for a grant, which can be used to carry-out in-depth market
research, helping the business to identify the demand for new
products and allowing them to hone their ideas to conquer those
markets. Full details of the scheme along with how to apply can be
found on
EEDA's Business Map website (new
window).
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Suffolk Coastal business needs research report
11 June 2010
The Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) has
commissioned a report that shows how businesses in the Suffolk
Coastal area are coping in the current economic climate and what
they require in order to stay viable and profitable. The
report was produced by Nick Boulter, chairman of the
LSP's economy and skills working group and chairman of the
Suffolk Coastal Business Forum.
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Economic Development Support Fund
22 March 2010
Suffolk Coastal is inviting applications for funding from town
and parish councils and or business or community organisations for
projects supporting economic growth and recovery in the
district.
The Economic Development Support Fund is a two-year programme to
promote economic vitality and is specifically aimed at market towns
and population centres in the district as part of an overall
package of economic initiatives which is indirectly funded by the
Government. Grants may be awarded for up to 70% of total project
costs up to a maximum of £15,000 per application - higher amounts
will be considered in special circumstances.
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Join the campaign for better broadband access
22 December 2009
In Suffolk we are seriously disadvantaged by the speed of our
broadband service. We now have a chance to improve the overall
service across the county and the Suffolk Broadband Partnership is
asking for everyone’s help. If you haven't already done so, please
take 5 minutes of your time to register on the EREBUS (Eastern
REgion Broadband Uplift Scheme) website and vote in the online
survey to improve our county's chances to get funding for faster
broadband.
The EREBUS survey, being led by the East of England Development
Agency (EEDA), will demonstrate that Suffolk needs amongst other
things - faster learning platforms for schools and homes, faster
and more efficient healthcare teleservices, faster ‘do it online’
facilities and a competitive edge for our local businesses.
So far, the high speed broadband campaign for Suffolk has got
off to a flying start with Suffolk registrations on the EREBUS
website one of the highest in the East of England.
However the Suffolk Broadband Partnership is asking for one more
push from the people of Suffolk to register on the EREBUS site to
give Suffolk that distinctive edge over the rest of the region. So
if you haven’t yet taken up the opportunity the Suffolk Broadband
Partnership urges you to do so.
Better broadband will help Suffolk deliver on its greenest
county priority, reduce rural isolation and help to address the
limited access to services in some parts of our county.
Follow the link below to register your vote:
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Local companies invited to 'adopt' the county's aspiring
athletes
16 December 2009
Destination Gold is a new sporting initiative launched by the
Suffolk SportsAid Foundation to raise money to support the most
talented athletes in the county, including Suffolk's brightest 2012
prospects.
Local companies, and their staff, have been invited to
officially 'adopt' one of the county's aspiring athletes and help
them in their ultimate goal of representing Team GB, and Suffolk,
at the greatest sporting event in the world - the London 2012
Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The initiative provides Suffolk companies and organisations with
an opportunity to associate themselves with a world class athlete,
to support them on their journey to 2012, engage their workforce in
the excitement of the Games and play their part in Suffolk's
Olympic and Paralympic Games legacy.
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Loans for local businesses battling with the banks
18 September 2009
Entrepreneurs across the East of England can get their hands on
loans of up to £200,000 to help start-up and grow businesses, even
if they have been refused by their banks. The East of England
Development Agency (EEDA) has loan programmes in place to help
businesses looking to borrow between £500 and £200,000.
'Small Loans for Business' offers between £500 and £50,000 to
regional businesses whose funding applications have been refused by
the banks.
Alternatively, EEDA’s ‘Regional Growth Loan’ can provide up to
£200,000 for small to medium-sized businesses that have a real
potential for long-term growth and a workable business
proposition.
For more information
visit the EEDA website (new window).
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Businesses offered help to save money by going
Greener
17 August 2009
Local businesses are being given the chance to tap into free
expert advice that could help them reduce their energy costs and be
more environmentally friendly at the same time. A full time
Business Energy Advisor, Anna Martin, has been appointed by Suffolk
Coastal to offer help to small and medium sized enterprises.
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Grants opportunity for businesses in the district
24 July 2009
Small and medium-sized businesses could be eligible for a
financial support from the Government thanks to the Grants for
Business Investment (GBI) scheme, which is managed in this region
by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA).
Whether they are launching a new business, updating existing
technology, developing new products, improving staff facilities or
taking on new employees, businesses could get a percentage of the
cost paid by the Government through the scheme.
There is no deadline for applications, but once submitted to
EEDA, businesses will hear if their bid has been successful within
20 days, though complex projects or requests for larger sums of
money could take longer to process.
For all the information on GBI, or to download the application
forms and review the application criteria, visit the
EEDA website (new window).
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