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Kent County Council and its partners are building
consistently on the success of their European connections which
have netted millions of pounds for the county.
With many new EU programmes to fund Kent projects currently
under way, KCC is making a great return on its investment in
Europe.
The previous seven-year programmes attracted about £20million
each year from various European sources. This compares with the
annual cost of the Kent Brussels Office of about £300,000 - or 1.5%
of the total European funding.
A wide range of projects have been supported, which have
benefited the county's economic and rural development,
regeneration, tourism, environment and small businesses.
One example is Thanet Innovation Centre, where a £1.3million
Objective 2 grant has resulted in 100 people being employed in 45
office spaces, mainly in knowledge-based small businesses.
Another example is Cross-Channel Greenways, which received a
£1.1million Interreg grant to help pay for the Tonbridge to
Penshurst cycle route, and local public rights of way
improvements.
The Kent Brussels Office also did business for 13 partners last
year - providing information, office facilities, action plans etc -
which brought £80,000 income.
Now the operation has moved to a new base, International House,
45 Rue de Commerce, email
brussels.office@kent.gov.uk,
read more. It's an ideal conference and seminar venue at the
European Union's heart with the latest media facilities and at a
greatly reduced cost.
KCC Deputy Leader
Alex
King said: "The Kent Brussels Office is one of the county's
unsung success stories. The office more than pays for itself and in
return reaps great rewards for Kent businesses, organisations and
individual projects.
"The new office is a great place for business. Our expert staff
have their finger on the pulse in Brussels. I would urge businesses
in Kent to take advantage of their expertise and the facilities
available."
A programme of events, policy seminars, partnership meetings,
best practice exchanges and Kent showcases will mark the 21st
birthday.
The commemoration began today with a seminar in Brussels
attended by Kent Ambassadors, partner organisations, and guests
from Kent's Euroregion partners, Nord-Pas de Calais and Belgium, as
well other European countries.
KCC European activity started in April, 1987, when the
co-operation agreement was signed with Nord-Pas de Calais Regional
Council ahead of the Channel Tunnel's construction. The Kent
Brussels Office opened in 1991. |