Investors in Sheffield have access to some of the most generous and inclusive grant regimes in the UK. The main capital scheme, operated by the UK Government and administered by the regional development agencies, has the capacity to support up to 25% of capital spend (until the end of 2010 when intervention levels reduce but remain attractive), subject to the number of jobs created and the rationale for the grant support.
The region is actively seeking innovative and forward thinking businesses and has R&D support schemes for large companies investing in the future as well as for the Small to Medium Enterprise. These funds can be accessed for a range of projects and work hand in hand with the national taxation initiatives supporting research and development.
The support mechanisms recognise the importance of attracting, retaining and developing highly skilled personnel and as such include a number of support programmes specifically focused on your people. These support packages are in addition to more sector specific programmes focusing for example on environmental and technical advances.
The following sections can only provide an indication of the potential levels of support available under each scheme but are intended to give you a flavour of the region's appetite to support businesses like yours.
There are individual appraisal processes for each scheme and all support is discretionary and subject to individual circumstance, but can be used to facilitate the execution of exciting development projects in the region.