Exeter City Council  - Funding & Support

Employers relocate to the city and its economic area because of the track record of the local economy and its proven location for successful business operations. The base line operating costs for employers are typically lower than competitor areas, for rents and rates of prime office space and for the salary costs of staff. For these principal reasons, financial support is not generally available to relocating employers.

Exeter City Council seeks long-term quality investment into the city. For high profile investments and employers whose presence in Exeter will result in significant job creation, the City Council will do its utmost to secure any necessary funding and support required by the relocating employer.

The City Council has much experience in project managing the relocation, on-going aftercare, and integration into the economy of the Met Office. Thanks to an effective public/private sector partnership, investment, timely delivery and the securing of key financial support is successfully achieved.

Financial Assistance/Grants

Funding is not generally available in Exeter. However, for high profile investments and employers whose presence in Exeter will result in significant job creation, the City Council will do its utmost to secure any necessary funding and support required by the relocating employer.

Loans

A wide variety of business loan companies operate in Exeter, providing support to businesses at all stages of development – from start-up capital through to loans for on-going business development and projects.

Exeter City Council does not directly provide loans to employers, but the Exeter City Council website provides links to some organisations that can provide loans.

Incentives, Tax and Others

Exeter City Council does not directly offer local incentives or tax reductions. Other incentives may be offered, however, by some of the business premises in Exeter.

Venture & Equity Capital

Exeter City Council does not directly provide loans to employers, but the Exeter City Council website provides links to some organisations that can provide equity capital.

Recruitment / Financial Support

Part of the potential support offered by Exeter City Council is in the provision of staff advisory services, both in sourcing new labour streams and relocating existing priority personnel.

A joint partnership approach to support employers' recruitment needs is provided through a local initiative, ‘Step 2 Skills’. Support can be provided across five areas:

• Free advertising of the vacancies
• Help in identifying suitable candidates for interview
• Training potential candidates to meet the minimum expectations for a vacancy
• Provision of on-going training to develop the workforce

For further information on the recruitment and financial support offered by Exeter City Council for potential investors, you can contact them directly.

Business Accommodation Assistance

Exeter City Council hosts an on-line searchable property register of commercial sites and premises available in the Exeter economic area. To find a good location search our commercial property database and register on the Exeter and Heart of Devon Commercial Property Register.

Exeter City Council can provide a high level of support to ensure the process of finding the right site and premise and helping your business and staff relocation is as easy as possible. This includes site visits and introductions, familiarisation visits, introductions to the business community and support with data and board reports. For further information about this service, contact Exeter City Council directly.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Exeter City Council can provide assistance and support in integrating new investors into the existing business networks of Exeter. This can include introducing investors to potential partners in the city, and helping to arrange networking opportunities for business sectors. For further information about these opportunities, you can contact Exeter City Council directly.