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WCDA providing support for new entrants into eCommerce on the web and ICT advice.
One of WCDA's latest projects is designed to help companies get to grips with the Internet and information and Communications Technologies (ICT).
Help is available from advisors on how to integrate ICT into your business to make you more profitable and to help you grow your business. The project has already started and you should contact WCDA if you think you could be eligable.
Click this link to visit WCDA's website
Furness Enterprise
In the south west corner of Cumbria the organisation responsible for generating growth is Furness Enterprise.
Furness Enterprise has a number of programmes which could suit business who are based locally or want to move into this area.
Click here to visit Furness Enterprise's website
Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency (CREA)
Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency has recently revamped its Distinctly Cumbria support package. for supplers - the new system it is hoped will make it better for suppliers to contribute to the programme.
Distinctly Cumbrian is to help small businesses realise their potential in the new ICT environment for a progressive rural economy in Cumbria. Help is available for website development, brochure and marketing production and other aspects.
It will do this through the creation and enhancement of the rural infrastructure to support the production, distribution and marketing of Distinctly Cumbrian added-value products.
Click this link to visit CREA's website
Small Business Support for Export about to fly away
Our sources tell us that the present system of Passport to Export which was designed to help small and micro businesses to gain a foothold in overseas markets is being stopped in favour of supporting businesses which have an annual turnover of £12 million plus. We believe that the Government is concerned that the returns from supporting small businesses under P2E into export markets is not gving them a quick enough payback. They now consider that the money would be better spent and provide a quicker return on export if it takes a different tack.
P2E is a DTI project and it considers it's the DTI that is concerned about expenditure taking to long to produce returns, and the powers that be believe the money could be better spent with more well established businesses.
When the current crop of funding under Passport to Export runs out, and that should not be too long, the UK International Trade team will start to target larger businesses.
What a pity the government does not apply the same criteria to projects like Identity Cards, the NHS Computer system, Police Mergers and the Northern Way!
All Change at top of Cumbria Vision
Chris Collier has resigned as head of Cumbria Vision. Presumably the £80,000 a year post is now vacant. However there are those that would say "the job is little more than a poisoned chalice". Her resignation actually highlights the problem that we have in Cumbria and that no one has to power to deal with.
There are too many vested interests to be able to combine effort and resources in pulling back the county's economy from the brink. We have six councils, plus the Lake District National Park Authority; we have numerous support agencies, Furness Enterprise, West Cumbria Development Agency, The West Coast Renaissance, the Rural Regeneration Company, Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency & Business Link to mention but a few. Each Council usually has some kind of an economic development unit (no money - but they have a unit) often staffed by dedicated people who sadly can't make much of a dent in the problem.
With all of this going on the questions we should be asking Cumbria Vision are;
Where is all the money going?
Why is our economy still in the doldrums?
Why do we need so many development agencies?
If you have the answers let us know.
Major Changes to Business Link set up in North West Region
The North West Development Agency has been reviewing Business Link in the region and is making changes to the way the Business Link operates.
The main change is that there will no longer be different Business Link's for different areas. Presently, there are a number of Business Link operations active in the region, each with its own sets of managers and admin staff. In Cumbria the Business Link franchise has been operated by active8 Business Solutions headed by Brian Lightowler.
As the franchises run out next year (2007) the existing suppliers will be phased out and a new single Business Link will be formed serving the whole of the region.
Exactly what services it will deliver and how Business Link will deliver them is still under review. Watch this space for news as it breaks.
Whilst we welcome the news that changes are afoot, as usual the devil will be in the detail.
How will that affect Cumbria?
Will we get access to the services we need?
Will the Business Link services on offer be what we need?
How will they be improved?
We are sure you may have comments - so if you would like to send them to us we will make sure that they reach Steven Broomhead CEO of the North West Development Agency.
What would you like to see Business Link delivering?
Artemis Media
5 Oakmoss
Haverthwaite
Nr Ulverston
Cumbria
LA12 8BU
Telephone: 015395 31338
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