The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is a £2.6bn fund that businesses across England can apply to for grants and loans from 2011 to 2016. It supports projects and programmes that lever private sector investment creating economic growth and sustainable employment. It aims particularly to help those areas and communities currently dependent on the public sector to make the transition to sustainable private sector led growth and prosperity.

The Regional Growth Fund will provide a mixture of direct support for private sector investments and private / public partnerships. All projects should lever private sector investment for long term growth and private sector employment.

£2.4bn was awarded in the first 3 rounds. An additional £350m is available to bid for in Round 4 and was announced in the 2012 Autumn Statement as part of a range of measures to target help for businesses and rebalance the economy to drive growth. The minimum threshold for Round 4 applications will be £1m.

This fourth round will close at noon on March 20th 2013, however bids asking for LEP support must be sent to us by noon on Thursday 14th March.

Provided that projects and/or programmes meet RGF criteria and reflect local priorities, the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership would like to offer support to those who plan to bid for Round 4 funding in the West of England.

For further information and how to apply, please see our website:

http://www.westofenglandlep.co.uk/funding/regional-growth-fund