BUSINESSES in Bradford are set to benefit from a £8.5 million support scheme to help them invest in new technology and learn new digital skills.

The Digital Enterprise Programme will give financial backing to eligible small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) within the Leeds City Region.

A Digital Growth Voucher of up to £5,000 will be available for eligible companies to use on the cost of investment in digital or information communications technology.

The firms who claim the grants will meet with digital growth advisers who will offer advice and support to help them find the right type of investment to help them grow and raise their productivity and competitiveness.

This could include upgrading a website, enhancing a digital connection, or acquiring new hardware or software.

The scheme, which will be managed by Leeds City Council, will be part-funded by the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014 to 2020.

Mark Cowgill, director and founder of EXA Networks, a specialist IT firm based in Bolton Road, Bradford, has backed the investment programme.

He said: “Digital Enterprise offers game-changing opportunities for small businesses, in the Leeds City Region, to venture in to full fibre optic broadband solutions that will help drive economic growth through the Digital Growth Voucher scheme.”

The programme will contribute towards the Strategic Economic Plan for Leeds City Region, which set the target of an extra 15,000 digital jobs to be created by 2025. The support is available through the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership’s growth service.

Roger Marsh, chairman of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said: “It will help SMEs in all our key sectors become more digitally savvy in their day-to-day activities.

“With grant funding also available to invest in new software and website upgrades, businesses will be supported to de-risk investments that can have a great impact on their bottom line.”

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