Cornish entrepreneurs get further two years help

Entrepreneurs and small businesses in Cornwall are to get a further two years help through a project developed by Truro College.

The college’s CASCADE project has been approved through Objective One for a grant of nearly £335,000 from the European Social Fund. CASCADE was set up in 1998 and has a successful track record of supporting new businesses and existing small firms to develop new skills and improve their competitiveness.

Maxine Hardy from the project said: “CASCADE helps stimulate entrepreneurial spirit within small businesses and gives support to help ensure their long term competitiveness and growth through a combination of business planning, training and mentoring. Over the next two years we hope to help another 730 people working in small firms.”

CASCADE provides: high quality business support and training; help for specific sectors like childcare, independent retailers, estate agents and financial services; advice, training and mentoring for new start businesses; ICT support and training via the Internet – and in future through CD-ROMs; a business club for small firms, with networking opportunities.

In addition to the Objective One grant, match funding for the project will also come from Truro College, the Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership, Lloyds TSB and in-kind contributions from businesses. The total cost of the project, which is also supported by the Employment Service, will be nearly £752,000 over the next two years.

For further information on the project, please contact the Truro Business Centre on 01872 267122.