Corridor Manchester Small Business Grants & Support, Government Funding

Europe/ UK/ North West England/ Greater Manchester/ Corridor Manchester

MIDAS is tasked with securing significant levels of new investment and employment for the area. This
is achieved through the global business marketing of the Manchester City Region, targeting key
markets and sectors, and an extensive, free and confidential package of advice and assistance for
location consultants and potential investors.

MIDAS services are available to national and international companies that wish to relocate to - or
may expand within - the Greater Manchester area, and MIDAS' work has contributed to the fact
that Manchester is now recognised as one of Europe's most sought-after business locations, being
second only to London in the UK. MIDAS services are flexible and are tailored to the client's specific
requirements.

The general areas of activity that resources are focused on include:

Gathering and analysing market information and intelligence
Project handling and implementation, leading to upwards of 100 successful investments per year
Aftercare services, delivered in partnership with Greater Manchester Local Authorities, with those companies who have invested in the city region, supporting their development and, where possible, future expansion.

Source: MIDAS, 2010, www.investinmanchester.com

Financial Assistance/Grants

MIDAS can also work with companies to investigate any potential funding support packages that
may be available, such as grants providing help for major business investment projects which
increase productivity, skills and employment.

Recruitment / Financial Support

Corridor Manchester collaborates with key employers and shareholders to improve job, skills and training strategies to benefit both the unemployed population and employers seeking skilled and qualified labour.

Various chemes have been implemented to ensure the growth of the knowledge economy:

The Future Jobs Fund (FJF) supports 18-24 year olds who are unemployed, providing them with 6 months paid work experience that will equip them with key skills essential in securing future work.

Corridor Manchester also offers Free Recruitment Support to businesses that can help provide jobs in the area, by assisting them in identifying the staff they need.

In addition, The Employer Suite provides companies with access to a large pool of ambitious job seekers, and helps to match applicants to the company’s requirements. The Employer Suite can also organise open days and interviews, and even provides the space for interviews and group sessions to take place.

Business Accommodation Assistance

MIDAS offer the following services for companies seeking to relocate, set-up or expand in Manchester:

Area knowledge
Location advice
Access to a property database
Property visits
Familiarisation tours
Marketing & PR assistance
Staff presentations
Access to funding incentives

MIDAS, Manchester’s Investment Development Agency, has launched a new soft landing service for companies based in the Manchester City Region, in collaboration with the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and well known serviced office providers, Anvic, Manchester Science Park, Bruntwood, and Orega.

HELLO Manchester is a programme that provides free office space to foreign investors, as an incentive to locate to the city. Businesses can also benefit from 12 months’ free rent in fully serviced accommodation, on the basis of one rent-free desk. The scheme also offers MIDAS’ full package of free business support services.