03.07.03
Truro College launched new Objective One funded Cascade project to help small businesses in Cornwall

Matthew Taylor MP today (4 July) launched Truro College’s new Cascade project. This project is invested in by Objective One and it will provide business support to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Cornwall.

Truro College has been running a business support project since 1998. During that time it has helped more than 500 businesses with business plans, marketing plans, IT plans and customised training, and provided ongoing mentoring and support. This work has improved the quality and durability of businesses in Cornwall. The new Cascade project will build upon the success to date and will, over the next 12 months, help 150 businesses including 30 new starts, will create 40 new jobs and will safeguard 100 others.

Matthew Taylor MP, said, “This is more good news for Cornwall. Truro College has established itself as a centre of academic excellence amongst the top ten Further Education colleges in the country. Its work with the business community helps to cement its place as a key component in the success of the Cornish economy. Certainly, I have received very good reports on how it has helped small businesses in areas such as business planning, mentoring and training.

“I am, therefore, very pleased to have been asked to launch the next phase of this project. It is also my pleasure to be doing this in the business centre’s new offices in the centre of Truro. I have been impressed with the quality of the facilities, but more importantly, with the personnel who are delivering this service.”

Sue Lovell, Manager of Truro College Business Centre, said, “We are delighted that our work with businesses across Cornwall is recognised for its quality and impact on sustainability. Small and medium sized enterprises are the lifeblood of the Cornish economy. Through Objective One, we have been able to provide support to these enterprises and we will be building on that work with the launch of the next phase of Cascade. Any businesses which feel that they want help should call us to discuss their needs.”

Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership said: "I am delighted that the highly successful Cascade project can now continue to offer such an important service for Cornish businesses, enabling them to grow and flourish with the guidance and advice offered by the business support team at the Truro College Business Centre.

Objective One is committed to investing in projects that help to build better businesses, which is why Cascade has received its second phase of investment. I wish the project every success for the future and look forward to soon hearing many more stories of how the centre has supported real growth in the businesses it assists.”

For further information, contact Bob Egerton, Truro College on 07785 748844.

Editor's notes:

Truro College Business Centre is part of Truro College. It has moved into new offices at: Palace Building, Quay Street, Truro TR1 2HE. Tel: 01872 242702. Email: businesscentre@trurocollege.ac.uk.

Matthew Taylor will be opening the new offices and launching the Cascade project on 4 July. Party at the Palace from 4 pm to 6 pm. Invitations have been sent to the media: please feel free to attend.

Official launch at 4.15 pm. Photo and interview opportunities.

Matthew will need to leave by 4.30 pm to attend his constituency surgery. He can be contacted via his constituency office on 01726 63443.

Cascade project

• Objective One project from July 2000 to June 2003.

• New Cascade project runs from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004.

Who can be helped?

• Any small or medium sized, private sector enterprise (SME) in Cornwall.

When?

• When a business is starting up

• When a business is planning to expand or diversify

• When it is seeking funding from grant sources or from investors or lenders

• When the owners simply want to make sure that they are still on track

• Or when the business is having difficulties

How?

One to one guidance and help with putting together a plan:

• A marketing plan to help the business grow and increase profitability

• An action plan to solve a problem in a particular area of the business

• A full business plan which encompasses the whole operation of the business

Cost?

The service is free of charge. The client contributes private match funding in kind through the time that they spend working on the project.

Training

In addition to the one to one mentoring, the owners, managers and staff of SMEs can receive subsidised training under the project. There are one-day seminars, part time qualification courses and customised training.

Networking

A business club open to all businesses in Cornwall stages events four times per year to provide networking opportunities.

Jason Clark
Communications Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388
jason@dclark.co.uk

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