Let’s grasp the chance to showcase the region

In business they say that perception is everything.

This summer is a fabulous opportunity for the region to showcase itself to the UK and beyond.

The Tall Ships Races will bring tens of thousands of people to the River Wear and with it a very welcome shot in the arm for local businesses.

Add to that the Great Exhibition of the North being held in NewcastleGateshead and we have a wonderful opportunity as a region to highlight how innovative and imaginative we are.

Such opportunities are so important, as a positive regional image will be looked upon very favourably by companies across the UK considering where to relocate or to open new operations.

From a regeneration perspective, plans are now at an advanced stage for the International Advanced Manufacturing Park close to Nissan which, it is hoped, will bring many jobs and Durham County Council states that up to 6,000 high quality jobs are set to be created as it undertakes the regeneration of Aykley Heads, on the fringe of Durham city centre.

While the bigger picture looks rosy, there is also good news for companies in County Durham looking for support to grow, expand and take on more staff.

The £20million Finance Durham fund, managed by Maven Capital Partners, has been set up by Business Durham, the economic development company for County Durham working on behalf of Durham County Council.

Finance Durham is part of Business Durham’s strategy to deliver business and economic growth across the county by supporting dynamic SMEs which are otherwise struggling to access the growth finance that will allow them to develop their businesses.

The fund can provide flexible equity, debt or mezzanine funding packages of between £200,000 and £700,000 in businesses of all sizes, with 10% of the fund available to invest up to £40,000 in start-up companies.

It can invest across all sectors in companies which are based in or relocating to County Durham at the time the investment is made.