More businesses receive a LIFt

Three businesses in the Caerphilly county borough have been given a cash boost thanks to the support on offer through a new grant fund.

The Local Investment Fund (LIF) is a new scheme that has been made available to 15 local authorities across the West Wales and the Valleys or Convergence region, including 6 local authorities in South East Wales. They have been awarded EU Funding through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), delivered through the Welsh Assembly Government, to provide grant funding to assist businesses within their areas.

The three latest firms to benefit from the grant are Fabcraft Ltd in Llanbradach, Hobbs Valve Ltd in Caerphilly and Caer Health Services who are also based in Caerphilly.

Fabcraft Ltd is a fabrication and engineering business operating on Graddfa Industrial Estate in Lanbradach. Established in 1973, the firm currently employs 20 people and was awarded the grant to purchase a special tube bending machine which greatly improves the efficiency and accuracy of the process.

Hobbs Valve Limited is based in a unit on Trecenydd Business Park in Caerphilly. The company, which manufactures specialist valves, was established in 2005 and now employs 21 people. The grant helped purchase an exhibition stand and marketing materials to help raise the profile of the business.

Caer Health Services provides occupational health services to other businesses, government agencies and public authorities and employs 15 people. They were awarded a LIF grant towards the cost of re-branding the business, producing marketing brochures and up-grading their website.

Businesses or business start-ups that are investing in any of the following to expand or start their business may be eligible to apply for a Local Investment Fund Grant:

• Capital Equipment
• Marketing
• E Commerce
• ICT
• External & Internal Building works and alterations

The business must be a SME's (under 250 employees) in the manufacturing, service to manufacturing, business-to-business service sector (minimum75% business to business) or tourism.

For more information contact the council's Business Development Team on 01443 866222