Moray firms urged to take up £3k grant offer

John Cowe
Councillor John Cowe – considerable benefits

SMALL BUSINESSES IN Moray are being offered a support opportunity that could see them qualify for grants worth up to £3000 to help increase their broadband speed.

Moray Council’s economic development and infrastructure committee chairman, John Cowe, has said that the local authority is welcoming a UK Government initiative that has already seen 28,500 vouchers worth up to £3000 each being taken up throughout the UK.

Now the voucher scheme has been extended for a further year in 28 areas – including selected parts of Moray where the infrastructure for superfast broadband is already in place.

While each voucher covers up to a maximum of £3000 towards installation costs, business can apply as a group to connect larger shared premises.

“The council welcomes this initiative which offers support for small businesses, charities, social enterprises and sole traders in Moray to upgrade their broadband connections,” Councillor Cowe said.

The benefits to businesses of improved broadband connections include the potential for increased profits through better services and more satisfied customers, quicker communication and faster file sharing, reduced IT costs through switching to online data storage and enhancing communication through the use of online video conferencing or cloud-based information sharing.

Councillor Cowe added: “There are considerable benefits for those who take up the offer, including the potential for improved business opportunity and productivity, so I hope as many as possible do.”

Interested businesses should enter their postcode at http://www.connectionvouchers.co.uk to check their eligibility for the voucher scheme. They can then choose a supplier, fill in an application form or pick an off-the-shelf deal with no forms to fill in.

Charities, not-for-profit organisations and commercial landlords are also eligible to apply if they are in a qualifying postcode area.