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Small to medium sized businesses in Aston have been given a major boost with unveiling of a new support fund worth over £1.2 million designed to support growth, job creation and premises improvements.
Funded through Aston Pride, in conjunction with Birmingham City Council and the Chamber of Commerce, the money will be available to support the NDC's ‘Business Employment' and ‘Inspire to Grow' programmes.
Under Business Employment a total of £750,000 is being made available over the next 2 years for use by small local businesses looking to make improvements to commercial land or property, from which they operate.
A similar fund of £250,000 was available last year, resulting in 25 separate companies making improvements to their premises including extensions, new security measures, electrical re-wiring and the erection of new shop frontages. It is estimated all this activity will lead to the creation of up to 50 new jobs in the long term.
Alongside the business support project Aston Pride has also made £480,000 available through its ‘Inspire to Grow' project, which will offer expert advice and business support to businesses looking to grow as well as grants of up to £7,500 with which to buy new equipment.
Cllr Neville Summerfield, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Birmingham City Council, welcomed the initiative, saying: "These initiatives provide yet more evidence of our clear commitment and proven track record in providing targeted financial assistance to small businesses in Aston.
"I am sure this programme will continue to build upon last year's successes and lead directly to new jobs, new investment and new successes for an ever growing number of people in the local area."
Simon Topman, Independent Chair of Aston Pride, said: "This initiative is good news for Aston Pride employers, residents and shoppers. We are really starting to see the impact this level of support can have, not only in improving the physical fabric of the area and security of premises, but also in generating business confidence and new job opportunities.
"We want to create a stable and prospering business community that looks to the future and creates opportunities for growth. I am delighted that so many businesses will be able to benefit from this support and would encourage all industrial and commercial business managers to take advantage of the range of support Aston Pride has to offer".
To find out more about the funds and how to apply for a grant business owners should contact Aston Pride on 0121 464 1843. Alternatively they can speak to an advisor on Aston Pride's Mobile Skills for Life bus at one of a number of special roadshow events being staged this week:
Wednesday 25 June
10am -12pm Tame Rd
12.30pm - 2pm Electric Ave
2.30pm - 4pm Wryley Rd
Thursday 26 June
10am - 11am Birchfield Rd (near Mansfield Rd)
11.30am - 4pm The Broadway (just off Witton Rd) |
