LEP unveils £7.2m digital fund
The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is launching a £7.2m fund aimed at business keen to widen their digital reach.
The D2N2 Digital Business Growth Programme, set to launch next month (January 2017) and run for three years, is due to help around 850 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the D2N2 LEP area over that period, to make better use of digital connectivity to expand their businesses.
The LEP wants to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in a wide range of commercial sectors to make better use of their current digital and online marketing techniques, or develop new ones, to improve their business performance and productivity.
A £3.6m investment will come from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) portion of D2N2’s larger €250m allocation of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF); which is EU funding to spent over six years (up to 2020) on projects which help SMEs be more competitive and expand their operations.
Matched funding of £3.6m for the programme will come from Nottinghamshire County, Nottingham City, Derbyshire County, Derby City and Rushcliffe Borough councils; Nottingham’s Creative Quarter Company and East Midlands Chamber.
Peter Richardson, chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Few business sectors can do without a digital presence and marketing strategy but many smaller firms find establishing one a daunting prospect.
“Through this significant investment in the D2N2 Digital Business Growth Programme, the D2N2 LEP and its partners will aim to address businesses’ needs.”
Councillor Diana Meale, chair of the Economic Development Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, added: “Through the ongoing Better Broadband for Nottinghamshire and Digital Derbyshire programmes, we’re putting digital infrastructure in place which is amongst the best in the UK. But if the area is going to drive home the full economic benefits of having better broadband, we need to support businesses to explore and introduce new and emerging ICT products and services.
“The D2N2 Digital Growth programme, which we are proud to be delivering in partnership with the East Midlands Chamber, gives businesses new commercial opportunities to boost their competitiveness and productivity; helping to drive economic growth across the D2N2 area.”
