A BUSINESS programme is celebrating success, after helping companies in the county to grow.

The Investing in Growth scheme, funded through the European Regional Development Fund, has supported fifty-two businesses with grants totalling over £860,000 and over 500 hours of bespoke financial consultancy.

The programme enabled twenty-seven small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to access 45 per cent grant funding of up to £50,000 towards the cost of expanding, relocating, purchasing machinery and market research.

A total of twenty-eight businesses also accessed investment advice and expert support to help them raise funds for growth projects.

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This one-to-one investment readiness support included identifying suitable loans or equity deals and making introductions to business angels.

It is designed to help SMEs in Worcestershire initiate significant expansion projects through the provision of advice and funding, supporting businesses to become investment ready and then assists them to apply for and access relevant funding.

Promoting Worcestershire as a business destination has also been highlighted, encouraging national and international businesses to relocate to the region, including funding the creation of the promotional website Invest in Worcestershire.

Investing in Growth ran between May 2017 and September 2019.

Anyone wanting to find out more about the support available can contact Worcester Business Central on 01905 677888.