Ambitious businesses and social enterprises based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will shortly be receiving a new package of dedicated support thanks to the latest approved project within the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence Programme.
This in-depth specialist business service will be formally launched in September. Accessed through Business Link it aims to provide expert support to over 2700 small to medium businesses over the next 2 years. Businesses and social enterprises will be given a flexible package of support, tailored specifically to their needs. Increasing productivity and competitiveness on a national and international level are the primary objectives with the ultimate aim of helping to increase the economic prosperity of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The service will receive £4.6 million ERDF Convergence and £1.5 million from the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) and Business Link will run the service, working in partnership with a number of key organisations throughout Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “Our ambition is to trigger a real step change in creating higher value in the Cornish economy through the ERDF Convergence Programme. Our investments will create the opportunity for more productive higher value businesses which can offer more quality better paid jobs. This new advisory service will particularly focus on those businesses whose activities add value through knowledge and innovation.”
Adam Chambers, Chief Executive of Business Link, said: “We are delighted to be delivering this programme – with a new, in depth service to help ambitious Cornish businesses flourish. Our role is to provide customers with local, relevant and high quality business support that will link them to the expertise essential to enable them to reach a new level of growth. We hope that this service will help contribute to the transformation of the economy, environment and quality of life in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. To show our commitment we are pleased to announce that we are currently recruiting a number of positions to help deliver this service which will shortly be advertised in the Cornish press. For now, we are engaging with partners and the business community in Cornwall and look forward to formally launching this exciting new service in September.”
Theo Leijser, South West RDA’s Area Director for Cornwall and Scilly said: “The ERDF Convergence Programme is central to plans for the economic development of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and the decision to commit £1.5 million of RDA funding to this project demonstrates our commitment to creating a vibrant economy in the area.”
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