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District of Harborough - Invest in Harborough District
 
Harborough Business Update
Harborough District Council
 
District of Harborough
February 2020 | Issue 65
 
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Welcome to the Harborough Business Update. We hope you find the information useful and please feel free to share this amongst your networks using the links above.
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Joining Forces: How partnering with the armed forces community can strengthen your workforce and reputation
The armed forces community have a wealth of transferable skills and qualities they can bring as employees.

Join us on Monday 16 March 2020, 6pm-7.30pm at Harborough Innovation Centre  to discover the strength of these skills and how you can help to support veterans and reservists in the workplace. Have the chance to sign your own Armed Forces Covenant and learn about the Employment Recognition Scheme.

The Employment Recognition Scheme acknowledges employers providing exceptional support to veterans, serving personnel, reservists and family members of those in the armed forces.

Those who are successful in achieving this can gain access to free training opportunities to help develop the skills of all staff.
Business Development, Food Processing and Rural Tourism Infrastructure Grants  - EAFRD Funding
The Business Development, Food Processing and Rural Tourism Infrastructure grants are now open to new applications. You must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form before midnight on 16 February 2020.
You could be eligible for a Growth Programme grant if your business is carrying out a project to create jobs or bring more money into the rural economy.
 
There are 3 types of grant:
  • Business development
  • Food processing
  • Rural tourism infrastructure
The grants are funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), which is part of the European Structural Investment Funds (ESIF).

HOW TO APPLY
 
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will assess all expressions of interest. RPA will look for projects that meet the national and local priorities for funding, and will decide which meet the criteria the best. This means grants are not awarded automatically to an applicant.
 
There is a 2-part application process (starting with submitting an 'expression of interest') to tell RPA about the work you're doing and how the grant could help you with it.
 
If RPA assesses that your expression of interest is suitable, they will invite you to submit a full application.

 
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Preparing to leave European Union
On Friday 31 January 2020, the UK formally left the EU with a withdrawal deal. Having joined in 1973, the UK is the first member state to withdraw from the EU.

The UK will now enter an 11-month transition period to prepare for its new relationship with the EU.

Although the UK will cease to be an EU member, the trading relationship will remain the same and it will continue to follow the EU's rules, such as accepting rulings from the European Court of Justice.

The purpose of the transition is to enable a new wave of UK-EU negotiations to take place. These talks will determine what the future relationship will eventually look like.

As we have up until now, we will continue to share messages regarding any implications at a local or regional level as and when they are shared by Government.

1-2-1 Business Meetings
Get in touch to arrange a 1-2-1 meeting with a member of our team.

We offer support on a wide range of topics from funding opportunities to digital marketing and more.
 
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Dates for the Diary
Event details
 
Tuesday 3rd March 2020
10:30am - 6:00pm
The Crystal, One Siemens Brothers Way, E16 1GB
Event details
 
Thursday 19th March 2020
10:00am - 2:00pm
Lumbers, 62-66 High Street, Leicester, LE1 5YP
Event details
 
Friday 16th October 2020
10:00am - 2:00pm
Tudor Hall, National Civil War Centre, NG24 1JY
Event details
 
Monday 24th February 2020
1:30pm - 4:30pm
Harborough Innovation Centre, LE16 7WB
Event details
 
Tuesday 17th March 2020
9:30am - 12:30pm
Harborough Innovation Centre, LE16 7WB
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Promoting SME Product Enhancement and Research (PROSPER) programme
The European Regional Development Fund has announced a new package, managed by the iNet and based at Loughborough University. This support for businesses will make it easier to develop and implement new products, services and processes.

The programme will operate from January 2020 through to December 2022

Businesses must be based in the Leicester & Leicestershire Local Enterprise Partnership area (LLEP) and engaged in one of the LLEP's priority sectors.
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Eye-catching new signs at Market Harborough Train Station
HDC launched its new station signs last week in Market Harborough, in order to promote the district as a great place to live, work and visit.


Harborough District Council is the official 2020 sponsor for Market Harborough Station. As part of this, four specially-designed nameplates have been installed on the newly-renovated platforms.
Do you have any business news or articles you would like to share?
If so, please email and we will look to include in future editions.
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Harborough Business Update
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