In 2021, the county council committed millions of pounds to supporting local businesses with several funding and grant schemes made available in response to the covid pandemic.
To help small businesses meet future challenges and grow, the ‘Invest for the Future’ fund provided up to 25 per cent of the cost of eligible projects. These included projects that would secure jobs, stimulate growth and innovation and offer new commercial opportunities in the county.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy and place at the county council, said: “To date, 32 businesses in the county have been awarded grants, to the total value of over £1.6m. The money has helped future-proof businesses by supporting them to diversify into new areas, creating and safeguarding jobs and supporting Lincolnshire’s economy.
“I’m very proud of the way we have been able to help smaller businesses to grow in this way – they really are the backbone of our county.”
Although this fund has closed for applications, the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub continues to provide county businesses with support and assistance.
Visit www.businesslincolnshire.com for more information.
MSK Doctors
One of the businesses to have benefitted from the grant is Grantham-based MSK Doctors.
Led by Professor Paul Lee, MSK Doctors are specialists in musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. They were allocated £67,980 towards their project costs of £271,920 for medical ultrasound equipment at a new flagship medical centre in Silk Willoughby, near Sleaford.
Their successful application has enabled the business to open their new branch, on the site of a former golf driving range, and will create at least five full-time roles in the heart of this Lincolnshire village.
Professor Paul Lee, said: “Being able to apply for and receive this grant has made a tremendous difference to our business. The facilities for our patients would have been far more limited without it. As well as diagnosis, we can now offer a large space for rehabilitation work and a comfortable consultation room. Eventually, we also hope to also be able to operate here at Silk Willoughby.
“My work often sees me in London, helping Premier League footballers through their injuries. Now we are bringing Harley Street expertise to the people of Lincolnshire.
“We have the only ‘open’ MRI Scanner in Lincolnshire and the great thing is that we can now offer a medical imaging centre in a rural area, which means people will no longer have to travel to cities around the UK.” explained Mr Lee.
“The grant definitely helped us and meant that we could employ five more local people, who will also receive training while they work.”