Up until last month businesses in Ashford were starting to feel a little left out.

Unlike the rest of Kent they were not able to access interest-free loans via the Regional Growth Fund to help them grow their business.

As they say, all comes to he (or she) who waits. All businesses in Kent who are looking at employment growth now have access to funds, including Ashford.

There is the Tiger fund for businesses in the north of the county, Escalate for businesses in west and mid Kent and Expansion East Kent covering Ashford, Canterbury, Shepway, Dover and Thanet.

For so many years now, since the start of the downturn in 2008, access to finance has been the top complaint we have had from Kent businesses.

Things have improved over time but the issue still rears its ugly head on a regular basis.

Whenever I am talking to businesses, I always give these funds a plug. KCC and its private sector partners have worked hard preparing and submitting, not just one, but three successful Regional Growth Fund bids in response to the continual cry from the Kent business community about access to finance to grow and develop their businesses.

Admittedly there is a rigorous application process to go through but then you wouldn’t really expect to be handed money on a plate. The important thing is it’s there and you don’t know if you are eligible until you try.

As I started off with, I do try and give these funds a plug wherever I can, particularly as they won’t be around forever.

There is a deadline for monies to be allocated and if there are any unallocated funds, then they go back to central government after a certain date.

Now that would be a disastrous.

Perhaps next time, rather than standing doing a formal presentation I should just burst out in song – the Beatles classic Come and Get It really fits the bill!

“If you want it, come and get it, but you better hurry ’cos it’s going fast...”

So let’s have some action – email businesssupport@kentinvictachamber.co.uk