North East BIC secure £340k of European funds

The North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) has secured £340k investment from ERDF to bring better IT facilities to over 100 regional SMEs.

10 jobs have been created and 58 secured as a result of the funding that will be used to create a co-working growth hub.

Cllr Foster, Deputy Chair of the North East ERDF Programme Local Management Committee, which engages key partners in the overseeing of the strategic delivery of the Programme said: “This project is great news as it is removing some of the barriers to growth faced by SMEs by offering improved IT and communications facilities which will help at least 100 businesses to grow and prosper.

“High standard ICT facilities are crucial for helping potential businesses start-up successfully and also ensuring existing businesses have the appropriate tools to compete effectively in the economy bringing benefits to the North East.”

The BIC complex is based in Sunderland and incorporates a variety of accommodation including specialist incubator units, bio-science laboratories, prestigious office suites and large industrial units, as well as bespoke training facilities.

Over 130 independent businesses are based at the BIC and many more across the North East tap into the extensive range of services available including virtual tenants and businesses which have been supported to start up via the BIC and who are currently home based.

David Oliver, information and contracts manager at the BIC said: “We have always been committed to providing the highest quality ICT infrastructure, indeed this is why so many of our clients chose to locate at the BIC.

“Today businesses work in a variety of ways and it is not always necessary for them to have permanent offices however access to good quality IT and support services remain vital and we are delighted to be able to support the growth of more businesses by opening this facility.”

The project will also support first stage growth for 15 micro businesses which are predominantly home based encouraging them through co-working, networking and collaboration.

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