3 June 2005
A new funding initiative in Cumbria is helping rural businesses take advantage of the boom in online retailing.
Distinctly Cumbrian's new project offers business advice and financial support to rural artists, crafts people and food producers, reports the Westmoreland Gazette.
ICT development officer Lorraine Whinn said "Distance selling is also a great way to overcome rural remoteness and, with millions of tourists visiting the area each year, it is good to be able to offer visitors the ability to continue to buy Cumbrian items when they return home."
She added that 200 businesses would benefit from the initial round of funding: "These will range from businesses developing their first website and secure e-shops, through to innovative uses of the Internet that can develop new markets for products and help the adoption of new business processes."
The ICT development programme will offer funding of up to 50 per cent towards project costs, along with impartial advice for eligible businesses.
As part of the initiative the Cumbria rural Enterprise Agency is also planning to hold a series of workshops covering e-commerce, Internet marketing and website maintenance.© DeHavilland Information Services plc
Keep up to date with industry and Nomensa news by signing up to Nomensa newsletters.
