Hartlepool Borough Council has teamed up with neighbouring councils and Tees Valley Unlimited to launch a free voucher scheme to help small and medium-sized companies in the area turbo-charge their businesses communications through better broadband links.
The drive to ensure that SMEs, charities and social enterprises have access to high-speed reliable communication systems follows Tees Valley being designated a broadband connection voucher scheme area by the Government.
Eligible organisations, across Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees, can apply for a free voucher, worth up to £3,000, towards the fixed cost of getting better connected.
The vouchers, which are designed to cover the cost of installing the next generation of broadband services, are backed financially by Whitehall as part of the SuperFast Britain campaign to get more businesses and residents online.
Councillor Robbie Payne, Hartlepool Council's Chair of Regeneration Services, said: "In today's fast-moving hi-tech world, superfast broadband is essential for businesses and our local economy.
"In the current economic climate it is so important to provide help and support to local businesses and I sincerely hope that many Hartlepool companies come forward to benefit from this scheme."
The Connection Voucher, which will open up broadband services capable of delivering 30Mbps or higher, will pay a business between £100 and £3,000 towards the fixed cost of getting connected.
If a business is part of a building or business park and knows of neighbouring businesses that also would like to access the scheme, they can pool their vouchers to obtain a better connection across the whole of the site.
Organisations could qualify if they:
- are a SME, charity or social enterprise employing less than 249 people or volunteers
- Have a turnover of less than £41m / balance sheet of less than £35m
- Have received less than £120,000 in public grants in the last three years
- The connection will cost more than £100
- Are willing to sign up for a minimum six month contract with their chosen supplier
More information, including frequently asked questions, is available here:
http://www.teesbusinesscompass.co.uk/support-for-growth/connection-vouchers.htm