The Growth Hub is working with many of Cumbria’s local authorities to boost economic activity in their areas.

We have programmes with five of Cumbria’s six district councils – Allerdale, Barrow, Carlisle, Eden and South Lakeland.

Working with local authorities enables us to effectively target support in the areas where it can boost the regional economy.

Each local authority influences how the Growth Hub targets the support they provide.

In Barrow, for example, funding comes under the auspices of the Furness Economic Development Forum and the Coastal Communities Fund, with a particular focus on supply chain as part of the activity.

Allerdale is drawing on funding from Sellafield Ltd, through their Social Impact Investment Fund scheme, to support local businesses and entrepreneurship.

Eden is particularly interested in backing the food sector, supporting its Food Enterprise Zone, and helping to support the development more high-value, higher wage jobs.

South Lakeland is keen to support the hospitality sector and agriculture with elements of its funding not matched with ERDF.

And Carlisle City Council’s focus includes working to reap the benefits flowing from the award of Enterprise Zone status to Kingmoor Park last year.

Local authority funding provides part of the match for draw down of European Regional Development Fund cash into the Growth Hub and BSUS.

It is also used in some areas to support businesses in sectors that do not qualify for ERDF funding, such as those in the nuclear supply chain, hospitality, agriculture, retail and consumer services.