Green Shoots Plus: Chance for firms to get share of £4m fund

Green Shoots Plus aims to create more than 370 jobs across the Black Country, Stafford, South Staffordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire.

An upgrade of plant equipment has led to Adams Enclosures being able to take on six staff thanks to Green Shoots.

The business epitomises the get-up-and-go spirit of the Black Country that Green Shoots Plus wants to encourage in others.

It began in 2006 with husband and wife team Wayne and Andria Adams and one other colleague. Today there are around 50 employees.

Once Green Shoots funding of £50,000 was awarded, they took on Simon Banks as a technical sales manager.

He used some of the grant to carry out a test programme to comply with International Electrotechnical Commission standards for low voltage switchgear

David Roberts, a team leader for the paint plant followed along with fitting team leader John Smith and machine operator Artur Granek. Adams, on Maybrook Industrial Estate, supply companies such as Siemens and has also provided enclosures for use on the London Underground. Its products are also in Canary Wharf, the heart of London's Financial Centre. The company makes high quality metal enclosures for controls and switchboards. They include things like test equipment cabinets, desks, consoles and wardrobes, control system enclosures, wall-mounted boxes and transformer housings. They are often found in factories, the car industry, heating and ventilation, metal refineries and are used by the electricity and water companies.

Mr Adams said: "The paint plant is all about improving the quality of the finish and helping us to do the job faster." Mrs Adams added: "The difficulty with the banks in recent years is that they ask for more personal security than they used to. They are not willing to take a chance on smaller companies. What we were asking for was not a lot, but it will mean a huge amount to our business and our people."

Green Shoots has helped the company invest in highly skilled staff. It is now looking to work with the nuclear, health and catering industries.

The project, administered by the University of Wolverhampton and overseen by a panel of expert business leaders, uses money from the government's Regional Growth Fund.

It is a bigger and wider-ranging successor to the pioneering Green Shoots Fund, which has distributed more than £1 million in grants to 35 businesses across the Black Country.

The original fund will create 129 jobs and safeguard a further 74 that would have been at risk of being lost.

But the larger, second fund, backed by our sister paper the Shropshire Star will do even more.

Applicants can seek a grant worth between £10,000 and £150,000 to cover up to 30 per cent of the costs of their plans.

It is aimed at small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in Dudley, Herefordshire, Sandwell, Shropshire, South Staffordshire, Stafford, Telford and Wrekin, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

University of Wolverhampton deputy vice-chancellor Professor Ian Oakes said: "This is a huge boost to businesses in the region and provides them with an opportunity not only to create and safeguard jobs but also to grow and become more competitive.

"The first Green Shoots fund demonstrated at first hand the positive difference such schemes can make to businesses and that is why I'm delighted it has been extended to cover a wider geographical reach covering the areas the University works within and has strong partnerships.

"It will also provide a greater level of grant funding meaning it will create even more jobs and allow businesses to innovate and have greater sustainability.

"Small to medium enterprises are very much the engine room of the UK economy and it is vital that they can continue to develop and be successful.

"The University of Wolverhampton is proud to play a leading role in economic regeneration in the West Midlands and recognises the importance of attracting government funding into our region to support local business growth."

Applicants need to have been turned down by their banks for the required funding and not to have had more than £175,000 in public funding in the past three years.

Eligible projects need to be up and running by January 2017.

The fund is aimed at businesses working in advanced manufacturing, building technologies, transport technologies, including aerospace, environmental technologies or business to business services, such as accountancy, design and print, electrical, advertising or marketing.

Grants are available between £10,000 and £150,000. .

How long does it take?

The University of Wolverhampton Business Solution Centre aims to award a grant within three to four months.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for Green Shoots Plus funding, you must: be a small or medium enterprise operating in Dudley, Herefordshire, Sandwell, Shropshire, South: Staffordshire, Stafford, Telford and Wrekin, Walsall or Wolverhampton.

Your must have been declined by your bank for the required funding; not work in the retail and agriculture sectors; not have received more than £175,000 in public funding over the last three years; have been operating for at least 18 months.

Those which fall outside of this scope will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

How do I apply?

Complete an expression of interest form by visiting the website which can be found at www.wolverhamptonbsc.com/green shoots.

The university will check your business is eligible and meets the fund's objectives to create jobs and promote growth.

You'll need to supply your company registration number – if applicable – the number of employees, company turnover, details of your project proposal, information about why you need Green Shoots funding to help, estimate of the number of jobs to be created and safeguarded, amount of investment required and a forecast of the total project cost.

If it meets the criteria, you'll be invited to a workshop to get tips and advice on completing the full application.