 For the past 20 years businesses in Tyne and Wear requiring support with expansion and investment plans have been able to call on the support of Tyne and Wear Development Company. The agency, which was set up in 1986, has helped hundreds of businesses of all sizes with investment projects - from Nike in the early 1990s to New Logic in more recent times. Working closely with the area's five local authorities, it remains the main facilitator of inward investment in the region and the first port of call for local businesses looking to invest and expand. The agency advises investors on all matters relating to potential investment on a free and confidential basis. Support is provided in a range of key areas including the availability of office, industrial and development sites together with information about grants, financial assistance, recruitment and training. Among the long line of companies to have benefited from the agency's support is video games specialist Eutechnyx. The Gateshead-based firm, which has a string of hit computer games on its CV, has enjoyed ongoing support - most recently in the shape of a £200,000 grant through Selective Finance for Investment (SFI). Eutechnyx develops titles for a range of platforms such as Sony PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Xbox and was able to use the funding to support the creation of new jobs and its next generation of computer games. Businesses across all sectors have benefited from Tyne and Wear Development Company's extensive support in the past two decades. Besides helping emerging IT and digital industries, it continues to devote time to supporting the region's manufacturers. Recent beneficiaries include HM Plant, one of the UK's top suppliers of excavation equipment, and oil and gas pipe manufacturer Wellstream, which is now celebrating its tenth anniversary in the region, having been supported strongly by Tyne and Wear Development Company over the past decade. South Shields-based Solar Solve Marine is another to have to have tapped into assistance. With a growing order book to meet, it approached the agency with plans to expand and was supported in its move to a new multi-million pound factory in the town. Julie Lightfoot, managing director, said: "Besides providing state-of-the-art facilities to continue our work in the marine sector, we were also keen to branch out into the residential blind market. The move is part of our long-term plan to win more business in this area and we're indebted to Tyne and Wear Development Company for its support." Paul Buie, manager Tyne and Wear Development Company, said: "We've supported some of the biggest companies around, but it's always great to see a home grown company like Solar Solve achieve success on the international stage. We're delighted to have lent a hand." At the opposite end of the business spectrum, help is available for start up firms through the Tyne and Wear Small Business Grant Scheme. Managed by Tyne and Wear Development Company, it enables new and emerging businesses to tap into capital funding of up to £5,000. The scheme receives Single Programme Funding from One North East and TyneWear Partnership.
For more information about support available from Tyne and Wear Development Company contact (0191) 516-9099 or visit: www.tyne-wear.co.uk.
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