Clackmannanshire Council Online

Broadband Connection Voucher Scheme

Small business across Clackmannanshire could get a grant of up to £3,000 to upgrade to faster, better broadband through the Broadband Connection Voucher Scheme.

The scheme provides grants of up to £3,000 to cover the capital and equipment costs of upgrading your broadband connection. You pay the VAT charged and the monthly line rental to your service provider. The monthly costs vary by provider and package, but a quarter of businesses pay £40 per month or less.

Benefits to local business as a result of faster, better broadband include:

• Growing and accessing new markets through better communication with customers and suppliers
• Increasing security through fast secure back-up of data
• Increasing productivity and improving customer service through faster upload and download speeds
• Upgrading your broadband will also help to future-proof your business for the digital challenges of tomorrow

Enterprise and Environment Convener Donald Balsillie said: "For many businesses high speed broadband isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. It is frustrating that some small businesses can't get the broadband connection they need - these vouchers should help them to change that."

To find out more and apply visit www.connectionvouchers.co.uk