Results secure major funding boost for businesses in the county

The adoption of broadband and use of the internet by Somerset businesses has been highlighted as among the best in Europe at a major convention organised by the European Commission in Brussels. Praised for its ‘best practice’, Connecting Somerset, the county’s dedicated internet support and advice centre for owner/manager businesses, was among the Commission’s top award winners for its work on bridging the broadband gap in the county over the past two years.

But, significantly, the success story has now also enabled Connecting Somerset to secure a substantial grant fund to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Somerset capitalise on more advanced uses of internet technology.

No less than £0.5m has been set aside for new grants to enable firms in the county to develop or improve their websites, introduce on-line selling or extend their e-business capabilities. In total, the new Connecting Somerset programme for 2007/8 will inject an investment approaching £1.6m into the regional economy, with funding provided by The European Social Fund, The South West Regional Development Agency, Somerset County Council and Business Link Somerset.

Just two years ago, Somerset had the lowest broadband take-up in the south west, but, as a result of the work of Connecting Somerset, the county is now the best in the region and ranked fourth in the country. More than 1,600 businesses in the county have benefited directly from grant and support for broadband connections since Connecting Somerset was launched in 2005.

As well as running an intensive programme of training workshops and providing free advice on anything to do with broadband and the internet, its work has also helped many remote rural communities obtain access to internet communications.

Speaking at the Brussels convention at the Charlemagne Building in Brussels, an elated Dave Cornish, Head of the Connecting Somerset programme, said the new grant funding represents a major coup for the county and opens up all kinds of possibilities for companies keen to retain or develop their competitive edge.

“We’re absolutely over the moon that Somerset is now a beacon for the use of forward-thinking technology, and delighted that we can now offer businesses continued financial support to build on the widespread adoption of broadband in the county. This is great news for any manager of a small business, as it will help to fund steps that will benefit productivity, sales and market penetration and ensure easy access to dedicated training support for making the most of the e-revolution.”

According to Paul Buchanan, Somerset County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, the success of Connecting Somerset demonstrates vitality in a key area of the regional economy.

“Connecting Somerset has been a great success in encouraging and securing greater use of the internet among the county’s SMEs and is an important part of the support that Somerset County Council provides to the county’s business community. The fact that so many businesses in the region are now taking advantage of on-line communications is extremely encouraging and is already having a significant impact on the growth of our economy. I’m sure this success story will help to ensure the county is known as a progressive and dynamic place in which to do business and, with the new grants, we can look forward to even more businesses making sound investments in their on-line activities.”

“This is really terrific news for the county,” adds Linda Scorer from the South West Regional Development Agency. “Not only has the success of Connecting Somerset helped to highlight the achievements of businesses right across the county, it has also provided a further financial boost that will make a very real difference to both established and fledgling enterprises. In every respect, the new grants represent an opportunity not to be missed by any business that’s keen to develop its sales and profitability.”

The ‘Bridging the Broadband Gap’ convention was organised by the European Commission to promote the use of best practices in the adoption of broadband and internet communications. As one of only a small number of organisations selected by the Commission from all across Europe, Connecting Somerset showed examples of how businesses in the county have benefited from on-line connections and highlighted its commitment to involve all relevant IT suppliers in its drive to encourage take-up of the internet. Connecting Somerset also presented a paper to the several hundred delegates from all over the continent, which included a special promotional video on the county’s e-successes.

For more information on the new grant funding, or advice and information on anything to do with e-commerce, broadband and the internet, just call Connecting Somerset on 0845 130 1595

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Note to Editor
Connecting Somerset is funded by Somerset County Council, the South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA), the European Social Fund and Business Link Somerset.

For further information, please contact :
David Wilford tel 01672 564529; mob 07790 774284, or Ron Dyson tel 01308 485707
Issued on behalf of Connecting Somerset by The Aurora Partnership

Photo Caption
Kevin Redpath of Connecting Somerset talks to delegates attending the European Commission’s ‘Bridging the Broadband Gap’ convention in Brussels.