1,000 businesses across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire have now registered for a programme to help businesses and organisations grow through their use of digital technology, allowing them to access the support and grant funding which is available.
The D2N2 Digital Growth Programme, half-funded by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), has been set up to help businesses in its area of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to grow, through use of existing and emerging technologies and information communications technology (ICT). Grants of up to £16,000 are available as part of the £7.2million programme.
D2N2 is the LEP for the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire area and works with its areas businesses, local authorities, skills and training providers and community and voluntary organisations to grow its areas economy, with the aim of creating 55,000 new jobs in ten years (2013-2023). D2N2 also has an allocation of European Funding, which includes the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which is designed to help businesses to grow and become more competitive in a number of ways.
One of these is through the use of digital technology, and in April of this year (2017), the D2N2 Digital Growth Programme was officially opened for applications. The remaining £3.6m for the programme has come from partner organisations Nottinghamshire County, Nottingham City, Derbyshire County, Derby City and Rushcliffe Borough Council; Nottingham’s Creative Quarter Company and the East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire); and also through businesses participating in the grant element of the Programme.
The grant scheme is being delivered by a partnership including the East Midlands Chamber, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire County Councils, and Nottingham City Council.
Grants of between £2,000 and £16,000 are available to businesses and other organisations which register to take part in the scheme. Grants are to cover 40% of the total cost of ICT improvements, up to the £16,000 maximum, with applicants having to match-fund that amount to make up the balance.
The D2N2 Digital Growth Programme is due to run until 2019. It is estimated to deliver:
- 360 action-planning workshops (similar to pictured)
- an annual digital conference
- a dedicated digital business advice
- workforce development skills advice
- £1.8m technology grant scheme managed by the local authorities.
At least 2,380 businesses will be engaged with over the course of the programme; resulting in 852 businesses receiving intensive support, the creation of 69 new businesses, and 639 businesses introducing new digital products or processes.
Businesses interested in finding out more about the D2N2 Digital Growth Programme can visit and register at www.ebusinessclub.biz/
For more information on how the private sector-led partnership of D2N2 is using its EU funding to stimulate economic and jobs growth across its area of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire see its website at www.d2n2lep.org/EUFunding
For More Information on the above release, please contact: | ||||
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Sean Kirby D2N2 Communications Manager 01159 578749 |  | Sam Burbage D2N2 Social Media and Marketing Officer 01159 578254 | ||
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