Small to medium sized businesses in The Black Country who are looking to create new or refurbished floorspace to expand their workforce or relocate to the area could benefit from a new multi million pound property investment programme for the region.

Business owners and developers can bid for a slice of £24 million which is being made available through The Black Country Business Property Investment Programme (BCBPIP). 

A new website has been launched for businesses to register their interest and submit applications for the cash at Type=links;Linkid=2184;Title=The Black Country Business Property Investment Programme;Target=_blank;.

The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday 9 August, 2013. 

The programme is being supported with £6.7 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government. 

Contributions from the 4 local authorities in The Black Country - Walsall, Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton - will be added to the pot, alongside funding from private sector businesses that have been selected to take part in the programme.

Stewart Towe, chair of the Black Country LEP, said: "The Black Country Business Property Investment Programme presents another fantastic opportunity for Black Country Businesses to bid into a fund to support business and enterprise growth.

"We are urging small to medium sized enterprises that may be eligible to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to grow or improve their business. This growth will of course provide job opportunities for the people of the Black Country and improve the Black Country as a place to do business."

Walsall Council is the accountable body for the programme. 

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Transport for Walsall said: "It's one of our key priorities to create and safeguard jobs not just in Walsall but across the Black Country. 

"Building high quality premises for business is important as it helps stimulate new jobs and investment."

Councillor Peter Bilson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Prosperity at Wolverhampton City Council added: "This programme gives Wolverhampton and the Black Country a significant advantage in the market for investment and jobs. I hope the sub-region's small and medium sized businesses will use it to kick start the growth we all want."     

  • released: Tuesday 30 July, 2013