Economic development

We are committed to improving the economy of Derbyshire, through sustainable developments. Our key objectives are to:

• to enhance the quality of life of our communities
• to support local businesses
• to create the climate and environment for investment
• to maximise external funding
• to create jobs for local people.           

Much of our economic development work is through partnership working with the Alliance Sub Regional Strategic Partnership and the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership and at regional level with the East Midlands Development Agency and the Government Office for the East Midlands.

The Derbyshire Well Connected project is a free service to help Derbyshire companies make the best use technology. This is particularly important in the current economic recession and can help business growth and survival.

Financial assistance for businesses in Derbyshire is now available through the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform's Grant for Business Investment (GBI) (opens in a new window) scheme (formerly known as Selective Finance for Investment in Englnad (SFIE) grants). This can help fund capital investment which will help the companies develop and improve productivity. 

The scheme is open to small and medium-sized enterprises and large businesses in the former North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire coalfield area. This has been  designated  as an ‘Assisted Area’ and the maximum grant available is £2 million. 

Elsewhere in Derbyshire the scheme is open to all small and medium sized enterprises (maximum 249 employees) and grants are available up to £140,000.