£2.3m digital help boost for firms

Companies in Durham are set to benefit from more than £2m in funding to improve their growth potential and sustainability through digital technology.

Business Durham has been awarded an extra £2,340,000 for its Digital Drive County Durham programme to continue supporting small and medium enterprises across the county until June 2023.

Initially, the programme was a £4m initiative to help SMEs maximise their growth potential and, since it was established in January 2018, over 1,000 businesses have registered.

Business Durham, the economic development arm of Durham County Council, will now be able to support an additional 400 companies to make the most of digital technology with the additional funding.

Sarah Slaven, Business Durham’s interim managing director, said: “We’re delighted to announce we have secured an additional £2.34million of funding for our Digital Drive Country Durham programme.

"We will now be able to support more businesses from across the county to develop their digital capabilities in order to grow and remain competitive.”

She added: “With the additional funding there is scope for more businesses to tap into the project and find out how digital technology can help them to increase their productivity.

"This is particularly important as the economy moves into the post-pandemic recovery phase as it is vital we continue to support businesses to grow, thrive and create jobs.”