MANUFACTURING businesses in Ludlow and south Shropshire can now access specialist support and grant funding to improve their business thanks to a new programme in the Marches.
The Manufacturing Growth Programme is designed help businesses identify opportunities and create plans for growth and improvement under the new initiative.
This £9.7m programme is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by Economic Growth Solutions, supported by the Marches Growth Hub.
Specialist manufacturing growth managers will work with manufacturers on an independent review of their business and identify opportunities for improvement and growth.
They will provide a detailed action plan, access to matched industry experts to provide consultancy and coaching and unlock grants to co-fund growth or improvement projects.
Duncan Varnes, board member of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership and the LEP’s manufacturing champion, believes the programme was a ‘golden opportunity’ for small and medium sized companies.
“Just over 14 per cent of all businesses in the Marches are manufacturers, employing 36,700 people,” said Duncan Varnes.
“They have huge potential to grow and create jobs if given the right support. That will, in turn, have a positive impact on the overall prosperity of the area.
“The manufacturing growth programme will give business owners an insight into the risks, issues and opportunities for their business and help them to better plan for the future and understand what needs to be done to make improvements.
“The expertise of the team behind the programme will provide options to bring about real development. It is a golden opportunity for anyone in the sector who is looking to grow their business.”
More information is available from the Marches Growth Hub – a one-stop-shop for business support in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, developed by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership.
To speak to an adviser, contact the Marches Growth Hub on 0345 6000 727 or email enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk
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