Law firm Cobbetts’ EU competition team has helped more than 10 organisations submit successful second round bids to the Regional Growth Fund (RGF).

All RGF bids had to show state aid compliance, regardless of other merits such as job creation, which was the primary driver for funding decisions.

Cobbetts advised on EU state aid issues for bids ranging from across England but especially in the North West and Yorkshire & Humber. In total, 119 bids have now received conditional offers for support towards their respective investments.

Cobbetts' head of EU competition Jonathan Branton said "In tough economic times this funding is urgently required to kick-start the economy by incentivising businesses to spend and invest in positive projects that get things moving.  We look forward to further work in this area and doing what we can to try and help businesses access the funding they need to make exciting new projects happen".  
 
Jonathan and his team have been navigating paths through the EU State aid minefield for many years and have previously advised several of the Regional Development Agencies that handled similar projects prior to the RGF. The team is now involved in a wide variety of funded projects and funding applications, including under European regional funds (ERDF).