NWDA claims grant scheme success
The North West Development Agency said its Grant for Business Investment job creation incentive scheme levered £6 from the private sector for every £1 spent in the past financial year.
The GBI scheme paid out £12.9m to 61 North West companies. These projects were associated with £81.8m capital investment, the NWDA said, and were forecast to create 1,199 jobs and safeguard 817 jobs. In total 125 applications for GBI were received.
Formerly known as Selective Finance for Investment, GBI provides help for investment projects which will increase productivity, skills and employment in the region. All sizes of business from the eligible sectors can apply, with the level of grant ranging from 10-45% of the total project cost depending on location and size of business.
Notable GBI projects throughout the year include:
- £65,000 to Key Forensic Services in Warrington
- £1.2m to TRM Packaging in Burscough
- £230,000 to Dresser Mouldings in Bolton
- £290,000 to Plastiques Gosselin in Blackburn
- £103,462 to RFD Beaufort in Birkenhead
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