Jobs pledge as Business Growth Hub receives £9.2m

MANCHESTER’S Business Growth Hub has been awarded £9.2m to help start-ups and support established businesses.

It has received £4.8m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and £4.4m from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The Business Growth Hub aims to grow business activity in the region by providing advice and services to businesses in areas such as finance, innovation and training.

It said the money will be used to help create 190 new businesses, create 679 jobs and safeguard a further 1,391. It will also help 1,474 companies and support 587 business leaders with their development.

Director Richard Jeffery said: “This investment in the Business Growth Hub as we enter our third year is a hugely positive step and gives the green light to growth for even more ambitious businesses in Greater Manchester and the North West. We are now home to many of the critical business support services in the region – from Access to Finance and MAS to mentoring and the Start Up Now loans – and this funding gives us the partnership network, resources and support we need to take them to an ever wider audience.

“Greater Manchester is home to thousands of ambitious, hard-working businesses that deserve to succeed and grow. Working with our many expert private and public sector partners we are here to drive this level of growth even higher and to support businesses at every stage of their development.”

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