Regional Support Links

2WM
2wm is a regional site developed in partnership with the Regional Development Agency (Advantage West Midlands), BT, Coventry University and the European Commission. Its aim is to connect like-minded businesses together in specific industry clusters providing them with a platform to access relevant business support and online advisory services. The site aims to provide a useful gateway into the West Midlands, from links to business support, land and property searches, jobs, grants, news and events. Registration is free and the knowledge base is constantly updated to provide businesses with the latest information 'online'.

Advantage West Midlands
Advantage West Midlands is one of nine Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) established by the Government in 1999 to transform England's regions through sustainable economic development. Within this remit, AWM's role in the West Midlands is to help transform the regional economy by connecting need and opportunity to create a better place in which to invest, work, learn, visit and live. This is done primarily by leading the development and delivery of the West Midlands Economic Strategy (WMES) which is the framework for all our, and our partners', activity up to 2010. The website explains what AWM is doing in different areas and usually highlights all the schemes it is supporting.

Business Link West Midlands
Business Link West Mercia have dedicated business support services unique to the small and medium business plus the Start-Up sector.  Business planning, access to finance, finding premises, marketing and training are all areas where they can help, so whether you are looking to develop and grow, or wanting to simplify the way you work, then it is worth contacting Business Link West Midlands via the regional website below. Alternatively, a call to 0845 113 1234 will help them to provide you with a better service. In addition to the regional website a new national site has recently been set up providing a lot of practical information for businesses and linking to other Government sites.

Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire
The Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire aims to deliver a service to the business community that is both innovative and practical, providing easy access to advice, support and growth opportunities. The Chamber represents businesses in local strategic partnerships to help tackle poverty and social exclusion through promoting economic development in the most deprived areas of the community.

DEFRA
DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) was created in June 2001 to drive forward the Government's programmes on the environment, food and rural affairs. Its remit is the pursuit of sustainable development - weaving together economic, social and environmental concerns. DEFRA brings all aspects of the environment, rural matters, farming and food production together and is a focal point for all rural policy, relating to people, the economy and the environment. It administers a range of schemes to assist farmers, food producers, forestry, rural businesses etc.

Heart of England Fine Foods Group
HEART of ENGLAND fine foods group was formed in 1998 to promote and raise awareness of food and drink available from within the HEART of ENGLAND. It is the lead organisation for producers, growers and processors of speciality food and drink from the shire counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the conurbations of the West Midlands region. Its aim is to assist member businesses develop and expand profitable, sustainable markets for their products, utilising regional strengths, whilst raising consumer awareness of the excellent produce available from the region.