The Merseyside Business Environment Network (MERBEN) has some money available for capital equipment grants that will be spent on a first come, first served basis:

Capital Equipment Grants

Although most companies would like to make improvements to help the environment, many find the cost of capital investment in environmentally-friendly equipment prohibitively expensive. However, funding is available of up to £15,000* towards capital investment for implementation of ‘environmentally friendly technologies’, via the MERBEN Capital Grants Fund.

* Higher amounts are available in certain circumstances. All projects are subject to detailed application process and availability of grant.

Applying for a Merben capital equipment grant

The fund is exclusively available to SMEs on Merseyside who are looking to purchase ‘environmentally friendly’ capital equipment. It can contribute up to 25% of costs towards the purchase of new capital equipment that improves business innovation, environmental and economic performance, through reducing waste and the use of energy and water.

Making new capital investments is a big decision for any business. Therefore, MERBEN works hand-in-hand with Business Link for Greater Merseyside and other business support partners to ensure that recipients of capital grants receive the best possible all-round business support.

Types of equipment purchase that might be supported include:

• Screening equipment
• Filtration and water recycling equipment
• Advanced waste management technologies
• Alternative fuel technologies
• Energy efficient gas burners
• Air compressors
• Eco-efficient heating and energy generation systems
• Wood chippers
• Balers

This is not an exhaustive list - please ask for further details.

Businesses that might benefit and may be eligible (SMEs), should call Ian Stringer on 0151 644 4720.

Interested parties may be interested in this invitation to the First Merseyside Annual Transport Conference

The event take place in the Concert Room, St George’s Hall, Liverpool on Wednesday, 17th October, 2007, 9am to 4pm
. Chaired by Lucy Siegle, BBC Journalist & Observer Columnist
. Keynote Speech by Professor Robert Cochrane - Imperial College, London and Eddington Transport Study Team.

It will also feature the inaugural Merseyside Transport Awards.

The award categories are as follows:

• Best transport design for a new development
• Best transport operator
• Best travel plan
• Best school travel plan
• Best transport innovation
• Best freight initiative
• Best active travel initiative
• Best transport journalism
• Best community initiative.

To enter, please visit www.LetsTravelWise.org/news

Please RSVP by emailing claire@octobercomms.co.uk or call 0151 236 2323.

You can also download the attached PDF version of the invitation.

The British Chambers of Commerce have published a new report looking at the emerging city economies across the UK.

The report, ‘A Tale of the Cities: the best of times?’, sets out to chart this economic development and to analyse what has made so many city re-developments a success. It also provokes some difficult questions, not least; can economic development and social inclusion go hand in hand? And it sets out a series of recommendations on what cities now need if they are to ensure future growth and prosperity.

Cities included in the report include Leeds, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Cardiff and, of course, Liverpool.

Liverpool’s section, compiled by Liverpool Chamber’s Chief Executive, Jack Stopforth, looks at the cities recent history and its plans for the future. From wartime boom to economic and political upheaval to Objective Funding-inspired growth, Jack goes on to look at what’s in store. He discusses the proposed City Region and the need for the growth in dialogue between business and the public sector.

Read the full report on the BCC website [PDF]

Click ‘more’ to read the BCC’s press release discussing the report.

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