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Regional daily in huge ‘Dragons’ Den’ jobs boost

A major regional newspaper is set to help create hundreds of jobs after landing £5m of Regional Growth Fund cash to distribute to companies across the region.

The Birmingham Post has been awarded  the money, which is is a second tranche, in partnership with Bournville College in the city. They will work to stimulate investment and create 250 new positions.

The Post’s regional head of business Graeme Brown, who sits on the selection panel for the Post’s growth fund, said on the paper’s website: “Since the last Birmingham Post Growth Fund closed, we have been inundated with enquiries about whether we are starting again.

“There are still thousands of businesses out there in the West Midlands with big growth plans, but which find themselves unable to innovate and expand for financial reasons.

“So that is why we are back with another £5 million. With a region back in growth, exports surging and employment on the rise again there are new possibilities, and we want to do our bit to make the region reach its potential.

“And the fact that the Government has selected the Post, as well as our partners Bournville College, to distribute Regional Growth Fund money to businesses in the West Midlands again is a real compliment.”

Between 2012 and 2013, the Post – which is positioned to target a readership including the business community and key decision-making professionals – met its target for job creation with a first tranche of RGF money.

The same target, to create 250 jobs has been set.

The paper is now urging business with fewer than 250 employees, which are struggling for finance, to submit their bids.

The Birmingham Post Growth Fund will offer grants of between £10,000 and £100,000 for expansion and growth ideas and initiatives that will directly create jobs across Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull.

The Post distributes the money through Dragons’ Den-style events held in the city called Investors’ Fortress, in which representatives from companies pitch to a panel, who assess the need and potential of the bid.