Evaluating the impact of emda and the RDAs – 10 years on

A new report assessing the impact of the nine English Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) has been published by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).

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To complement this, emda has also published an independent evaluation. It shows emda has generated economic benefits that substantially outweigh its overall costs since it was established in 1999. For every £1 spend by emda, over £9 of economic output (or Gross Value Added – GVA) was put back into the East Midlands economy.

Real help for businesses now

Guidance for businesses on preparing for the possible impact of a swine flu outbreak is now available on the
Business Link website

emda is working closely with its partners and with Government to provide real help for businesses in the current economic climate.

This is why the Real Help for Business initiative has been launched, providing businesses with a range of support, including accessing finance, managing cash flow, reducing energy costs, exporting and many other practical measures.

For more information about the complete range of support available to businesses contact Business Link on 0845 058 6644.

Support for businesses in current economic climate

emda's support for businesses during these tough times includes a £6m Transition Loan Fund, offering up to £250,000 to small and medium-sized enterprises that have been trading for at least six months. A further £1m is available though the Business Transformation Grant, offering up to £10,000 for plant and equipment to support resource efficiency.

For more information contact Business Link on 0845 058 6644 or  visit the Business Link website

Presentations from emda’s Survive and Thrive events and further advice is available at www.surviveandthrive.org.uk

emda has also committed to pay invoices within 10 days. This will help regional companies who are finding it difficult to remain profitable.

European funding calls for activity

The East Midlands 2007-13 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Competitiveness Programme has launched a second ‘call for activity’ under the Programme’s innovation and sustainable business practice priority.

Up to £20m is being made available and expressions of interest (EOI) are needed by noon on 31st July 2009.

For further information visit www.eastmidlandserdf.org.uk

An Invitation to Apply for Grant Funding (IAGF) has also been launched under the same Programme priority.

Up to £10m is available to help establish and manage a JESSICA (Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas) Urban Development Fund. Pre-qualification questions need to be submitted by noon on 10th July 2009.