Industry and manufacturing play an important role within the NOW area's economy. NOW understands this importance and has helped attract businesses into the area and create jobs via the NOW funded Industrial Areas Improvement Project (IAIP).

IAIP has provided grants to attract new businesses into the NOW area and help existing businesses improve their premises. The SRB funded grant project has ceased accepting applications as of the programme's March 2006 end. LBWF and the Tribal SDP management team would like to thank all those who have helped make the Project a success. Please refer to the links at the foot of this page if you have an enquiry concerning support (financial or otherwise) for local businesses.

Well over 20 companies have been directly supported through IAIP:
	11 new businesses have been attracted into the area.
	More than 10 existing businesses have been able to expand or improve their premises.
IAIP business attraction and improvement grants has directly enabled:
	Over 200 new jobs to be created.
	At least 300 existing jobs to be safeguarded.

Grants have been provided to companies that fulfill specific criteria worked out with the IAIP team and are given up to a ratio of one part grant to three part funding from the business towards its objectives.

IAIP has been funded since 2003 and by the end of March '06 it will have received over £1m of NOW support. Businesses around Argall and Rigg Approach have been those most keen to access IAIP with companies as diverse as scaffolders, car repair shops, structured steel manufactures, veneer makers and printers benefiting from the project.

Particular examples include:
	Phones for all An established mobile phones mail order distributor opened an office on Rigg Approach in January 2006. Phones for all are recognised for the quality, value and reliability of the products and services they offer. Major renovation works supported by IAIP have enabled Phones for all to create an impressive work environment, to potentially house 120 employees, helping build on the business success they have had from their other base in Essex.
	Royal Jersey Laundry A major supplier of clean linen to top quality hotels in London. Employing 60 people and operating seven days a week, they offer a 24 hour turn around for all hotel linen. An IAIP grant enabled the laundry to modify the building and install new production line equipment. The improvement work has helped safeguard the current employees and has enabled the employment of a further 11 staff.
	Northfields A specialist linen provider, moved into the Borough at the start of 2004, purchasing a redundant building on Rigg Approach. Northfields provides linen to hospitality caters and large events across the UK, designing and making linen of any size and shape. IAIP helped Northfields to move into the area, totally transform the interior of its new premises, enabling a production line to be built. Northfields now employs over 40 people.