£426,000 Funding Boost for Businesses
News release
3rd February 2014
Businesses can benefit from free workshops and support after onlincolnshire secured almost half a million pound of funding from the EU.
The Lincolnshire County Council-run project, awarded £426,000 by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), has launched an 18-month-long package of support for digital and creative businesses as well as those in other sectors who want to make better use of the internet and digital technology.
Free events will include workshops about online services and best business practice, technology master classes and a Meet the Buyer conference to highlight the digital expertise of Lincolnshire-based suppliers and match them with potential buyers. The funding will also boost awareness of the equipment available through the Lincolnshire Technology Hubs.
This latest round of funding continues the work which has been carried out since summer 2012. The next event, which will feature a variety of sessions on different subjects, will be held will be at the Broad Street Business Centre in Spalding between 8.30am and 11.15am on Thursday 20th February 2014.
Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Development at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The power of the internet can transform the way we do business, and with superfast broadband being introduced across the county at the moment, we need to be ready to make use of it.
“The events will offer a chance for networking with other businesses as well as workshops focusing on different online services. There will also be huge benefits for those taking on the one-to-one support as they will have access to a consultant who can help identify opportunities for that business.”
The sessions at the Spalding event will look at topics including selling over the internet, integrating social media into your marketing plan, making your business more responsive and making better use of staff both in and out of the office.
Onlincolnshire aims to raise awareness of the benefits of superfast broadband and bring an improved connectivity to the county. The events are being organised by the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and CDI Alliance on behalf of the onlincolnshire project.
To book your place onto the Spalding session, please call the new onlincolnshire free phone number 0300 8080120 or email superfast@lincs-chamber.co.uk
Follow @onlincolnshire on Twitter or visit www.facebook.com/onlincolnshire for more information on the project and upcoming activities.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
About onlincolnshire
- onlincolnshire is a Lincolnshire County Council-run project which is part-funded by the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013.
- In March 2013, the council signed a £48 million contract with BT to provide superfast broadband to at least 88% of county properties by 2016, with the remaining properties having access to at least of 2Mbps broadband.
- The contract with BT concentrates on an intervention area of over 150,000 premises where existing or planned commercial roll outs would not deliver superfast speeds.
- The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf
- Some internet users in rural Lincolnshire experience speeds of less than 1 Mbps. The UK’s average broadband speed is 7.6 Mbps, according to Ofcom.
Cerri Delaney
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
07985 143990
cerri@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @CerriDelaney
Tags:
