A SCHEME to boost businesses along the A11 corridor has received a �1.25m injection of European money.

A SCHEME to boost businesses along the A11 corridor has received a �1.25m injection of European money.

The Rural Enterprise Valley project (REV) was launched more than three years ago to give a multi-million pound jumpstart to the advanced engineering and motorsports businesses along the A11.

The second stage, REV-ACTive , was agreed to at the end of last year and will encourage businesses to improve their energy efficiency over the next four years.

The latest funding boost from the European Development Fund brings the total value of the project to �3m. Breckland Council has already pledged �228,000 towards the scheme and additional funding is due from Norfolk County Council and Shaping Norfolk's Future.

Following the launch of the project in November, businesses will be offered a range of services including a free environmental survey of their premises, an action plan highlighting potential savings and quick wins, and the opportunity to join in buying co-operatives.

Breckland Council portfolio holder for economic and commercial services, Mark Kiddle-Morris, said: “This project will create a network of businesses that can make substantial savings, share ideas and best practice, and benefit from working together. There is increasing pressure from central government for businesses to reduce carbon emissions and this should be seized as an opportunity for companies to achieve significant savings whilst acting in a greener way.”

REV-ACTive will run until December 2013, and is part or the wider REV Programme that develops initiatives to support regeneration and growth along the A11 corridor from Thetford to Norwich.

To find out more contact the council's Economic Development Team on 01362 656808 or visit www.reveast.com and select the projects area.