£2 million scheme to create 500 jobs and 330 firms in Cumbria

Five hundred jobs and 330 new firms could be created in Cumbria in the next year in a £2 million scheme to help people set up their own businesses.

Organisers revealed the ambitious target to boost the county’s recession-hit economy with the launch of a start-up support programme for budding entrepreneurs.

People taking part will get free advice and help in starting their own business, with assistance carrying on for up to three years after it gets off the ground.

Cumbria County Council, which will manage the scheme, says it will focus on providing advisors, coaches and mentors.

There will also be information and workshops to help entrepreneurs understand and learn about problems they might come up against.

Details of what it could entail for the county emerged yesterday as Cumbria County Council said it had been awarded the contract to manage the scheme.

They will do this on behalf of the county’s borough and district councils and the West Lakes Renaissance organisation.

Tony Markley, county council cabinet member for economic development, said: “It aims to create more than 300 new businesses in the first year and that’s going to have a big impact on job prospects in this county.”

The Cumbria Intensive Startup Support scheme is part of a north west programme. This was announced by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson and the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA) in January.
 

By Nick Griffiths

Last updated at 14:07, Tuesday, 06 October 2009

First published at 11:34, Tuesday, 06 October 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk