|
|
<p>21 successful bids from rounds 1 and 2 of the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative are projected to create or safeguard over 18,000 jobs, through over £237 million in joint public and private investment. AMSCI bids come from consortia of businesses in a supply chain, so in total, more than 180 organisations have benefited from AMSCI so far, including 108 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).</p><p>6 September 2013, AMSCI rounds 1 and 2 have committed public funds totalling £89.7 million from the £100 million available for national projects. AMSCI supports successful bids over a period of up to five years, with funding released in tranches throughout that time, in line with bidders’ needs. Projects from round 1 and 2 are in their early stages—so far, £3.6 million funding has been drawn down, 68 jobs have been created and 929 jobs safeguarded.</p><p>Up to £25 million was also available in AMSCI rounds 1 and 2 for local projects based in the four participating local enterprise partnership (LEPs) areas—Black Country, Coventry and Warwickshire, Greater Birmingham and Solihull. The four LEPs led on encouraging bids to the scheme, and have recently launched a further bidding round called the West Midlands and Liverpool City Region Scheme to allocate the remaining £19 million.</p><p>On 11 September 2013, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), announced the results of AMSCI round 3. Five successful bids secured a total of £116 million joint Government and industry investment, which is projected to create and safeguard 1,500 jobs in 30 different organisations including 13 SMEs.</p><p>Round 4 of AMSCI is open for applications. The closing date is noon on 16 October 2013.</p> |