A programme that helped create and safeguard media jobs in Birmingham has received a #1 million boost to extend its work region-wide.
The Business Support for Creative Industries (BSCI) Programme offers a package of support to businesses involved in design, performing arts, music, screen-based media and publishing.
Last June it received #4.3 million of European funding to continue its work in the city. Now regional development agency Advantage West Midlands has stepped in to make it available to other creative firms in the region. The extended programme, which will launch in April, will include areas such as Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Walsall, Dudley and the Black Country.
It has enough funding to run until 2008 and will be managed by the City Council's Creative Industries team and Business Link Birmingham.
Coun Ken Hardeman, cabinet member for regeneration said: "The Creative Industries team have done a great job helping Birmingham companies and entrepreneurs develop their ideas and grow their businesses.
"This is a great opportunity for the City to take a lead role in the growth of the sector in the West Midlands, to the benefit of the whole region."
The project was originally launched in 2003 – supported by the City Council, Business Link Birmingham and Screen West Midlands – as a way of encouraging high-growth, creative industries into the city.
Susi O'Neil, screen image and sound cluster manager at AWM, said the region had seen many of the region's creative businesses relocate to Birmingham because of the support offered in the city.
Ms O'Neil added that, with the scheme extension, the whole of the West Midlands would become a prime location for creative firms.
She said: "Particularly with the regional launch of the BCSI programme – I believe the West Midlands is the best place in the country to start a new creative business. We already have the best transport links and a better cost of living. Now we also have the benefit of an extremely successful support package."
Among the companies already supported by the Birmingham scheme is Jewellery Quarter-based Gas Street Works.
The digital media agency, which integrates film media with website design, received two grants from the programme totalling #7,500 to help them move into their own premises and market their business.
In 2004 the firm diversified from a traditional video production company to a corporate multimedia firm, exploiting the rise in broadband technology and its ability to handle rich media.
Since then, the company has increased turnover 200 per cent to #750,000 and now boasts a client list that includes NatWest, SWIFT, the Home Office and the NHS.
Director Neil Ramsorrun said: "The grants we received allowed us to move to our own self-contained building and help set up our IT networks.
"They also provided us with money for a feasibility study to redevelop our corporate identity.
"On top of that, the grants meant we were eligible to enter the Creative City Awards where we picked up accolades for the best Management Action Programme and Outstanding Business Development, which has really increased our prestige.
"We almost certainly would have done what we have without the grants, but the money expedited the process and helped build an awareness of our company."
The business, which employs ten full-tine and two part-time staff, has also recently designed a new website for the Birmingham Young Professional of the Year award.
