This is a letter written to local businesses from Mike Owen, Interim Chief Executive.
Dear Bury Business
I am writing to you today to make sure that you are aware of a grant of up to £3,000 to enable your business to access faster broadband speeds.
This is a grant of up to £3,000 to upgrade your business to faster, better broadband through the Broadband Connection Voucher Scheme. This is a £100 million scheme, administered by Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), to provide grants to SMEs to upgrade their broadband connection to superfast or ultra-fast. It is part of the government’s goal to drive growth and jobs, and help Britain’s businesses succeed in international markets.
Bury Council have invested and lobbied to ensure the scheme is also available to Bury Businesses.
The scheme has been launched in 50 cities across the UK. It is administered locally by Manchester City Council through registered suppliers. It provides grants of up to £3,000 to cover the capital and equipment costs of upgrading your broadband connection. You pay the VAT charged and the monthly line rental to your service provider. The monthly costs vary by provider and package, but a quarter of businesses pay £40 per month or less.
The benefits to your business as a result of faster, better broadband include:
• Growing and accessing new markets through better communication with customers and suppliers
• Increasing security through fast secure back-up of data
• Increasing productivity and improving customer service through faster upload and download speeds
Upgrading your broadband will also help to future proof your business for the digital challenges of tomorrow.
Who can apply?
To apply for a broadband grant you must be a small or medium sized business, or a registered charity, social enterprise or sole trader located in Greater Manchester.
The Broadband Connection Voucher Scheme is open for applications until 31 March 2016 subject to availability. For more information and to apply for a grant, click here.
Best wishes and good luck.
