Funding news - 06/03/2012
The Leeds City Region Opens £10 Million Growing Places Fund
The Leeds City Region LEP - Growing Places Fund is intended to support projects that aim to drive economic growth in the Leeds City Region. The scheme will operate as a revolving fund, and will be given out mainly as loans.
Capital projects that will make the biggest difference to the local economy will be funded. The first round will provide up-front funding for infrastructure development to accelerate the growth potential of business and enterprise.
The Fund will help to deliver the LEP's priorities (increasing employment and economic growth and decreasing carbon emissions) through:
- unlocking and accelerating the development of key growth sectors;
- supporting the potential of firms to grow and adapt;
- establishing physical infrastructure; and
- delivering key investment to support economic growth.
The programme has an overall budget of £24 million. Up to £10 million will be available in round one. The amount of financial assistance offered per bid will vary according to the nature of the proposed project.
Examples of projects the Fund could support include:
- investment in physical infrastructure, such as a new road to access housing and/ or employment development land;
- investment in infrastructure for local energy generation; and
- projects that improve infrastructure and provide apprenticeship and training opportunities.
The scheme is open to businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and social enterprises. Applicants must be based in the local authority areas of Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York.
The deadline for receipt of Expressions of Interest is 26 March 2012.
Click here for further information (opens in new window).
Source: leedscityregion.gov.uk, 06/03/12