Businesses urged to apply for share of £1.4m fund run by the E&S
Businesses are being invited again to apply for a share of a £1.4 million fund run by the Express & Star to help them grow.
Already around £400,000 has been allocated to 12 companies as part of the Express & Star Green Shoots Fund, which is being run with the University of Wolverhampton. The scheme was set up using money from the Government's Regional Growth Fund, aimed at helping businesses with projects that would boost trade and create jobs.
The fund has won the praise of Prime Minister David Cameron and the £392,000 already allocated is going to create 47 jobs.
Now, following the awarding of the first batch of grants, the fund has reopened for expressions of interest while businesses that have already applied are having their projects looked at by experts. Businesses in Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley or Walsall with fewer than 250 employees can apply for a grant worth up to £50,000.
Click here for more details on how to apply
See also: David Cameron backs Express & Star Green Shoots jobs fund
One such successful recipient is Wolverhampton-based Thompson AVC. The company, based in Gorsebrook Road, started with two brothers, a van and some basic tools, and 20 years later is employing 70 engineers and a fleet of 60 vans.
It provides fire detection equipment, CCTV and public address systems to some of the country's best-known businesses.
It wants to create a professional audio visual studio and editing facilities that would create jobs. The grant of £27,788 will help it create the project and train staff, taking on three new workers as a result. Meanwhile, Process Fabrications, based in John Harper Street, Willenhall, will create four jobs with a £50,000 grant that will help it invest in new equipment and technology to develop its export business.
It works with aerospace, metal treatment, odour control, water and waste water, air pollution, exhaust ventilation, plastic fabrication and rubber lining.
Dudley North MP Ian Austin, who encouraged the E&S to get involved, said: "We need a new industrial revolution in the Black Country to attract new businesses and new jobs and these grants will play a major role in that.
