UKSE Kickstart Loan Fund is a new loan fund operated by Black Country Enterprise Loan Fund on behalf of UK Steel Enterprise. The fund provides enterprise loans from £500 to £5,000 in the Black Country area comprising the boroughs of Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall.

UKSE's activities are part of the corporate responsibility policies of Corus Group. The company's mission is to help in the economic development of those areas of the UK which have been affected by changes in the steel industry. It focuses support on small and medium sized businesses which have the potential for growth by providing the types of finance which may not be available to these businesses from elsewhere. Its main activity is the provision of finance directly to growing businesses. Equity investments are available in amounts up to £750,000 and unsecured loan finance is available in amounts from £25,000 (for further information visit www.uksteelenterprise.co.uk). UKSE also has a number of Business & Innovation Centres and from time to time also provides sponsorship funding to local community projects which share its objectives. Since it was established, the company has invested over £72m and assisted over 4,500 businesses.

For further information about the UKSE KickStart Loan Fund contact: Jill Thorpe : jill.thorpe@bcelf.org.uk or Christine Eaton : 07875 199254.