Businesses in Greater Lincolnshire can bid for a share of £200 million following the launch of round six of the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) yesterday.

The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is urging firms to apply for the latest round of the fund which supports projects that use private sector investment to create growth and employment.

 Round six remains focused on the private sector and bids will only be accepted from wholly private organisations, such as limited companies and universities, seeking £1 million or more.

“This latest round of funding will provide a welcome boost for our economy and give businesses in Greater Lincolnshire an opportunity to move forward with important investment projects,” said Ruth Carver, Manager of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP.

“The Regional Growth Fund was launched in 2010 and has already supported a number of businesses and organisations in Greater Lincolnshire, including engineering firms Bifrangi and Dynex Semiconductor, the University of Lincoln, the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, North East Lincolnshire Council and Frontier Agriculture.

“The RGF funding we have been awarded to date will deliver more than 1,200 new jobs to our area.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “The Regional Growth Fund is a helping hand from Government to create thousands of jobs that last, boost the private sector and rebalance the economy.

“I would encourage any businesses that can generate significant private sector investment and sustainable jobs to bid for a share of the £200 million available from the fund.”

The Government is calling on companies to plan high quality projects that will generate significant private sector investment and sustainable jobs. Businesses will be able to submit their bids until noon on 30^th September 2014.

Businesses are encouraged to make contact with Greater Lincolnshire LEP for advice and help with submitting a strong bid. Call Kate Storey at the LEP on 01522 550540 or email enquiries@greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk.

More advice and information on how to apply can be found on the LEP website: www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk or at https://www.gov.uk/understanding-the-regional-growth-fund

Notes to Editors:

About the Regional Growth Fund

• The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is a flexible and competitive £3.2 billion fund operating across England from 2011 to 2017. It supports projects and programmes that are using private sector investment to create economic growth and sustainable employment.
• Round six of the Regional Growth Fund makes £200 million available and opened yesterday and will close to applications on 30th September 2014 at noon.
• For more information, and further details of the expression of interest events in your areas please go to www.gov.uk/understanding-the-regional-growth-fund or email growthfund@bis.gsi.gov.uk
• Applicants should be aware of the EU state aid changes which take effect on 1st July 2014. You can find out more information at https://www.gov.uk/state-aid
• If your business is a small or medium sized business looking for less than £1 million or if it is not eligible for the Regional Growth Fund, there are plenty of other government backed finance options available. You can search the range of government finance schemes at https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support-finder and for information on other financing options, visit http://www.greatbusiness.gov.uk/finance-for-growth-peer-to-business-lending/

About the Greater Lincolnshire LEP

• The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership is a private and public sector partnership led by the private sector which aims to improve conditions for infrastructure and doing business in the Greater Lincolnshire area.
• One of the first LEPs to be established in the UK, the Greater Lincolnshire LEP covers a large geographical area with a population of over one million and a diverse range of industries, from ports and logistics to farming tourism and engineering.
• It includes North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire and the administrative county of Lincolnshire. It is controlled by a LEP board made up of leading figures in the public and private sector.
• To learn more about the Greater Lincolnshire LEP please visit http://www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk/

For media information please contact:

Jez Ashberry
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
07780 735071
jez@weareshootingstar.co.uk