Information for investors

Top brands born in the West Midlands: Cadbury Schweppes, JCB, Wedgwood, Jaguar, Aston Martin.
The West Midlands' central location, impressive infrastructure and ready-made skills base have led international companies like Fujitsu, Vodaphone, Toyota, Paugueot and Muller to locate operations in the region.

 Advantage West Midlands is the Regional Development Agency (RDA) for the West Midlands. It’s one of nine RDAs in England that were established to transform the English regions through sustainable economic development. Its role is to lead the economic development of the West Midlands, working alongside a wide range of public, private and voluntary sectors partners to help our region to prosper - building upon our many strengths and addressing our unique challenges. www.advantagewm.co.uk

West Midlands Local Government Association is a voluntary association of the 38 local authorities in the West Midlands region. It represents the broad range of local government interests at a regional level, promoting and supporting constituent authorities as well as influencing regional policies which affect the 'economic, social and environmental well being' of their communities. http://www.wmlga.gov.uk/

The West Midlands Region in the UK was home to the worldwide industrial revolution more than two centuries ago –  the world’s first iron bridge built in those days is still in use. Its unique history has transformed the region by providing a comprehensive infrastructure to develop and deliver the diversity of products and skills internationally. It the intersections of the national motorway and rail networks – the logical base from which to reach customers and suppliers quickly and easily.  The West Midlands boasts a world-class business environment, with highly developed supply chains and professional service networks that complement our untouchable industrial pedigree.
The West Midlands is a truly international location with a track record of offering a welcoming environment for overseas owned companies to grow and prosper. There are presently over 2,300 overseas companies from 40 different countries in the West Midlands and these companies employ around a one in ten of the region’s workers.
Manufacturing remains a key part of the economy, encompassing over 18,700 workplaces and employing more than 350,000 people.
Birmingham, the UK’s second city, supplies more than 100,000 business and professional services people alone to assist companies in the region.
Regional population of more than 5 million people; more than 200,000 companies to
provide business opportunity and skills.
Regional airport (Birmingham International) voted best in Europe by Airport Council International's (ACI) 2007 annual conference.

Selective Finance for Investment (SFIE) is a form of financial assistance available to businesses located in Assisted Areas in the UK for investment in capital expenditure and is run by Advantage West Midlands in the West Midlands. SFIE is normally given in the form of a grant payable in instalments on the achievement of capital expenditure and job creation targets.
The Assisted Areas in the West Midlands fall into two categories, referred to as Tier 2 and Tier 3. In Tier 2 areas (which comprise parts of Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry and North Staffordshire) SFIE is available to any size of business, subject to the eligibility criteria being met. A limited number of wards in Bromsgrove, Solihull and South Staffordshire are also included in Tier 2. In Tier 3 areas (which comprise the whole region excluding the Tier 2 areas), SFIE is only available to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (i.e. those employing fewer than 250 people) and cannot exceed £100,000 in aggregate for any one SME.
Further information on SFIE grants in the West Midlands region can be found at
http://www.advantagewm.co.uk/working-with-us/selective-finance-for-investment-in-england.aspx

Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credits are available to companies which are entitled to a deduction from their taxable income of 130% of qualified expenditure on R&D activities when calculating their profit for tax purposes. Further information is available at
http://www.berr.gov.uk/dius/innovation/randd/randd-tax-credits/page11350.html

Bridge to Growth initiative. Through Bridge to Growth, Advantage West Midlands and its supporting partners bring together a wide range of benefits which provide an efficient, low risk and low cost entry route to the UK market. Bridge to Growth targets those companies who need help the most – typically smaller and medium sized companies. Once they have taken the decision to enter the UK market, BTG provides a bridge to market opportunity and growth from a platform of free integrated services.
For more information see: www.advantagewm.co.uk
House prices in the West Midlands are currently 17% lower than the average for England and Wales, and 32% lower than the South East of England.
Average property prices for the West Midlands region stand at £273,196 for a detached house, £138,182 for a semi detached house, £101,018 for a terraced house, and £108,521 for a flat or maisonette [Source:  Land Registry, June 2008 data].
All this makes the West Midlands the most complete location for business success.