Making Use Of Government Support

Microdat’s success and 5 year business expansion plan continues to attract support and encouragement at local, regional and national government levels.  Microdat's progression to export has continued throughout the first quarter with both UKTI and our local Business Link Adviser Neil Campbell.  Microdat have also had very enthusiastic initial meetings with Leeds City Council and MAS (Manufacturing Advisory Service) that has opened their eyes to the rapid changes taking place in the grants field.

'Well I thought I was good at finding and using HM government grants and services to assist small businesses," says Microdat MD Stephen Midgley, " however after recent meetings with Leeds City Councils Local Investor Development Officer and MAS (Manufacturing Advisor Service) I was surprised at the rapid changes taking place in the grants field."

Leeds City Council are back offering development grants tied to employing Leeds people. Microdat has utilised this scheme in the past and as it dovetails nicely into the business plan they expect to use the scheme again in the near future which could provide the company with up to £10K grant in 2009.   Robert Henderson, Leeds City Councils Local Investor Development Officer, was also very informative and helpful and put Microdat in contact with Nicola Davis at Yorkshire Forward who administers the Grants for Business Investment (GBI).  The GBI scheme is now open to all manufacturing SME’s in Yorkshire and Humberside and could deliver a sizeable grant (20% of £305K) to assist Microdat in its development plans over the next two years.

Discussions with MAS were also very useful, Microdat have free consultancy to help with their energy conservation work i.e. to fully assess the financial benefits off re-cladding Microdat’s factory this will enable them to claim an interest free Carbon Trust loan to fund some of the factory essential re-roofing and re-wall cladding work.  Apart from the long term savings in gas and electricity it will enable Microdat to receive 6 months rent free period from the landlord. Microdat might then install a Cardlogs solid fuel heater to keep the factory warm and trial the new Cardlogs machines.

Finally Microdat have also submitted the services of M-Projects the process and manufacturing consultancy division for inclusion in the MAS consultancy program in the very specialised areas of brewing, food and beverage. M-Projects have already worked with MAS in the Midlands so extending the service to Yorkshire and Humberside MAS will benefit local customers too. Once this service is formalised the local customers will be able to avail themselves of M-Projects consultancy services free for an initial day and with a 50% subsidiary for larger projects.