News & Resources

New £20m green technologies fund launches for West Midlands businesses

17 Jun 2013

A £20m funding programme to help SME supply chain companies develop, grow and diversify their businesses within the green sector in the West Midlands has launched.

The Green Bridge Supply Chain Programme is available to businesses in the local enterprise partnership areas of Greater Birmingham and Solihull,Black Country, Coventry and Warwickshire, The Marches, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent and Worcestershire.

It is funded through government’s Regional Growth Fund and managed by Birmingham City Council.

The scheme is aimed at companies that operate with the green sector or seeking to diversify or set up within this sector, such as renewable energy, low carbon, building technologies, manufacturing, transport and logistics.

Grant support of between £20,000 and £100,000 is available to develop new markets, new products, new processes, skills development and purchase of capital equipment and premises refurbishment. However, applications for funding of over £100,000 may be considered where applicants can demonstrate significant economic benefits.

The first round of funding is now open and deadline for the submission of applications is August 9 2013 and all projects will need to be completed by March 2015.

Steve Hollis, GBSLEP Deputy Chair said, “GreaterBirminghamand the wider West Midlands area have a well established green technologies sector and theGreenBridgefund seeks to build on this.

“But equally importantly, it will aim to improve the capabilities of SMEs not necessarily involved in green technologies to adopt and adapt to more energy efficient and innovative methods. GreenBridgeis also important in that it is a cross-LEP initiative, demonstrating once again that, where it is appropriate, joining forces can benefit our SMEs.”

Cllr Tahir Ali, Birmingham City Council cabinet member for development, jobs and skills said, “We are delighted to offer companies in the region the opportunity to access this support which will have a major impact on competitiveness and efficiency, thereby making a sustainable contribution to the economy.

“Making companies more environmentally friendly and efficient will have a major impact on the bottom line of businesses and help with the creation of local jobs.”

 Further information on how to apply can be found at: www.birmingham.gov.uk/greenbridge

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