Independent Slieve Croob Councillor Patrick Clarke is encouraging local small to medium size businesses (SME’s) and social enterprises within Newry, Mourne & Down District to take advantage of the ‘Broadband Connection Voucher’ scheme to upgrade to faster business broadband.
The Broadband Connection Vouchers Scheme will allow local SME’s and social enterprises with less than 249 employees to claim grants of up to £3,000 to cover installation of a superfast broadband service to improve and enhance the way they do business.
The overall aim of the proposed scheme is to stimulate economic growth in Newry Mourne and Down District by not only helping existing organisations overcome the cost of installing high speed broadband, but also by improving the overall fibre infrastructure in the area making it a more desirable location to invest.
Cllr Patrick Clarke said: “Small to medium size businesses and social enterprises can now avail of a grant of up to £3,000 to upgrade their business broadband through the Connection Vouchers Scheme which has been launched by Newry Mourne & Down District Council in conjunction with the Beyond Network.
“The benefits of upgrading your business broadband are a more reliable internet connection, improved data storage and accessibility, faster upload and download for larger files, as well as giving SME’s a competitive edge with better fibre optic communications.
“A reliable and faster broadband speed is now an important and integral part in helping assist SME’s to grow their businesses and remain competitive in both local and international markets in a very fast and changing business world.
“Applicants for the scheme must operate within an eligible postcode. Businesses can check their eligibility by simply logging onto:
“and entering their business postcode to see if their business can receive a broadband connection.”
All details on eligibility or how to apply to the scheme can be obtained from:
John P McGonigle, Project Manager, Belfast Connection Voucher Scheme, 22-38 Gloucester Street, Belfast, BT1 4LD, Tel 0800 587 4695.
www.belfastcity.gov.uk/connectionvouchers e-mail: connectionvouchers@belfastcity.gov.uk
Or alternatively further information on the scheme can be obtained by contacting Michael Forster (Downpatrick) or Martin Patterson (Newry) in Economic Development within Newry, Mourne and Down District Council – Tel 028 4461 0856 (Michael) or e-mail: connectionvouchers@nmandd.org
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