12.01.07
Cornish businesses must act now to access remaining Objective One investment

actnow, the pioneering project led by Cornwall Enterprise to drive the growth of broadband and IT in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, is urging businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to apply now for 'accelerator' funding towards IT improvements, as funds cannot be carried forward beyond 2007.

The end of the Objective One programme means that time is now running out for businesses to receive help under the current scheme – not just with broadband, but all kinds of IT equipment and development.

"As well as rebates on the costs of broadband, actnow offers financial help of up to 40% on IT improvements," explains Project Director Nigel Ashcroft. "So, if your business could benefit from a new website, eCommerce development or perhaps a network or server, then can you afford not to buy it now?"
Already, nearly 9,000 Cornish businesses have benefited from the £20 million scheme. Jetstream Sports Cars Ltd have just been approved for investment of £19,800 to help pay for its website, computers, servers and sophisticated online manufacturing management system.

Managing Director, Malcolm Faiers and partner John Donnelly moved to Cornwall in 2005 having previously been based in the United States and then Gloucestershire.

Malcolm says: "We have been thrilled with the level of business support we have found in Cornwall and in particular the help we have received through actnow."

The new Jetstream sports car will be unveiled in mid 2007, an exciting new rear engine sports car similar in size to the Lotus Elise. The Jetstream will start at £27,000 for the 200bhp version, ranging up to £35,000 for the 300bhp model.

Malcolm summarises: "The Jetstream is a revolutionary sports car that we expect to take the market by storm. We could not achieve this if it were not for the revolutionary and transformational impact of broadband on the way we are running the business."

Big Wednesday was established as a surf shop in Falmouth in 1987 by the current owners, John and Wendy Brook, and has become firmly established and popular over the last eighteen years. It sells a large variety of water sports equipment and surf clothing and is regarded as the leading surf shop in South West England.

The company has received a total of £8600 from actnow, to help fund the investment in broadband and IT as it expands its eCommerce operation.

The support from actnow has been through a series of four separate applications, with actnow providing additional funding as the company has developed its use of IT. The initial application provided funding for a computer and software, followed by a website, then expansion into eCommerce and most recently, development of the eCommerce website to integrate the back office and dispatch functions.

Company Secretary Wendy Brook says: "Broadband has enabled us to transform our business, so that the eCommerce website now fully complements our existing retail business. We purchase from most of our suppliers online and use broadband all the time for research so it helps us stay at the cutting edge. actnow have helped us invest in our future in the e-retail market, which is showing exponential growth.

"Not only has broadband revolutionised the business, it has revolutionised the way we work. The flexibility it brings means that we can work smarter. It's an exciting future and actnow have helped us take control of it."

actnow Project Director, Nigel Ashcroft, says: "The funds are available to promote growth in Cornish businesses and we want to ensure that the take up is maximised so that the local economy gets as big a boost as possible."

Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership, says: "Objective One has given businesses a unique opportunity to invest in IT technology and its deployment. Those businesses which have not yet maximised digital applications will become less and less competitive in the digital economy of the twenty-first century."

Sally Wilcox, BT South West Regional Director, one of the major partners in actnow, says: "This is an excellent opportunity. Broadband is making a major contribution to the success of Cornish businesses. More than four out of ten homes and businesses in the county are now using ADSL broadband, but much remains to be done. The public and private sectors must continue working together to help businesses make the most of the technology."

If you run a business in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and would like information on how actnow could help you, call 0800 800 935, email info@actnowcornwall.co.uk, or visit www.actnowcornwall.co.uk.

For further information contact Emma Lydon at actnow on 0800 800 935 or email Emma.Lydon@actnowcornwall.co.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in actnow through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).

Editor's notes:

The actnow programme is a demand-led initiative to encourage businesses in Cornwall to gain the support they need to move into the broadband economy. It is one of the largest private and public sector partnerships in Cornwall since Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly were granted Objective One status by the European Union in 2000.

The £20 million pound project is part financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF). Other project partners include Cornwall Enterprise, the Objective One Partnership Office, BT, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the South West of England Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council, Business Link Devon and Cornwall, Cornwall College and Rural Cornwall Partnership.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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