Northumberland UK Win GBP2.74m from EU for Better Business Broadband

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) appears to have awarded a grant worth £2.74 million to help over 2,600 small and medium sized businesses in Northumberland (North East England) gain access to superfast and ultrafast broadband ISP connectivity via a “range of incentives“.

The new funding, which will be matched by the county council (approximate total of £5m), forms part of the iNorthumberland Digital Economy Programme and will also be used to create an “interactive digital portal for businesses to learn and share good practice“.

The money will also compliment the council’s existing £28m project with BT, which aims to help ensure that 90% of “all target premises” gain access to a superfast broadband service of at least 25Mbps by 2015, then 95% by 2018 and finally 100% by 2020.

Baroness Hanham CBE, Communities Minister, said (Bdaily):

“It is essential all businesses can develop and be part of the digital economy allowing them to reap the associated rewards and their growth potential, so I am delighted the European Regional Development Fund is helping businesses in Northumberland.

This project will provide the correct infrastructure where it is most needed and ensure businesses receive the necessary support to maximise the benefits, cultivating innovation to strengthen businesses and contribute to the growth of the local and national economy.”

It’s expected that almost 300 new jobs will be created with the new investment and business broadband uptake should rise from 79.8% to 95% by 2015, although the funding will only be used to improve “last mile connectivity” (i.e. between the local PoP/Street Cabinet and business).