Local companies have volunteered their services to help National Grid deliver a vital project to connect a proposed nuclear power station at Moorside. A total of 21 companies in the area applied to be part of the project’s supply chain during a recent consultation on the North West Coast Connections project. National Grid is encouraging other local firms to express their interest so economic benefits to the area are maximised.

The company is hoping to begin construction on the project in 2019, subject to consent being granted to carry out the work. Project Manager Robert Powell said: “From the start of our project we’ve worked closely with local communities and it’s great that we can now offer local businesses the chance to get involved. “If consent is granted to build the connection, the project will create jobs during the construction phase, and we would like local people to fill a significant number of these. “We’re very pleased to have seen this much interest at so far, but we still want more and more local companies to register on our website so the local economy benefits as much as possible.”

Any local business interested in working on the project can register their details here.

Changes to Sellafield's Complete Tender Management (CTM) System which advertises contracts in the Nuclear Desommissioning Authority's estate will make sub-contracting opportunities much easier to view. Almost 30 categories have joined the initiative aimed at smaller suppliers.

Businesses interested in viewing the sub-contract opportunities will need to register on CTM to view details of available contracts, relevant buyer contact details and will then be directed to the relevant location for completing paperwork to pre-qualify. Click here for more information.

Two days of Local, National and International Speakers and Exhibitors. A fantastic opportunity to establish Cumbria as a hub for health innovation that supports our local health services while stimulating vibrant communities.

Find out more & register now here.

With support and sponsors such as the University of Cumbria, Armstrong Watson, Nestle Dalston – In the Community, In stock, to name but a few…we are delighted to invite you to this year’s Local Food Show on the 23^rd March 2017.

This event will give you an opportunity, as a food and drink producer in Cumbria, Northumbria and South West Scotland, to exhibit your produce to an audience of tourism, catering and hospitality professionals. Locally produced food is of such a high quality in our area it is important that local businesses and organisations are aware of the quality of produce on our doorstep. We have something proud to shout about and put our area on the map.

ERDF funding rounds have opened providing opportunities to support economic development activities in Cumbria.

£2m available to support the development of new business premises including grown-on space, incubator units or managed workspace.

£750k is available to support businesses to become ‘finance ready’ working with SMEs to make them aware of the range of finance options available to them and aligning with key initiatives such as the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. 

Information on the spacific funding calls is available at here and the closing date for applications is 17^th February.  

As per the commitment from the Chancellor, where successful EU funded projects will complete delivery AFTER the date the UK leaves the European Union, Treasury funding will be provided to enable the project to be delivered in full.

Cumbria County Council is able to provide ‘technical assistance’ to any interested organisations to help the development of eligible applications.  If you are interested in discussing a potential application, please contact Chris Edwards  - [email protected] at the earliest opportunity.