Workspace Kent will unlock jobs and business opportunities by enabling increased provision of business incubator space and other workspace offered on flexible terms. It will do this by operating a challenge fund to which private developers and organisations in the public and third sectors can apply for loan funding matched with other sources of investment in order to bring forward business premises that would otherwise not be developed in current economic circumstances. Workspace Kent aims to deliver:

• Additional business incubation and other flexible workspace where it cannot be financed by the market at present. It is anticipated that the programme will support at least six facilities across Kent.
• New business generation – it is anticipated that approximately 210 new business units or workspaces will be delivered.
• New jobs – it is anticipated that the facilities supported by Workspace Kent will accommodate around 900 jobs.
• Better support for business. Workspace Kent will be delivered in partnership with High Growth Kent, the Kent Chambers of Commerce and (where appropriate) local universities, building on the successful partnership that already exists to ensure that businesses located within Workspace Kent-sponsored facilities receive high quality business support and guidance.

Growing Places Fund

The Growing Places Fund (GPF) was established by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (formerly the Department for Communities and Local Government) and the Department for Transport (DfT) in 2011. The aim of this funding is to unlock economic growth, create jobs and ‘kick-start’ house building at stalled development sites.