THE South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA) will issue up to 170 grants for businesses and organistations in Kent which are unable to access wireless broadband internet.

SEEDA has appointed Wired Sussex to consult, manage and deliver the grants.

Small and medium sized businesses are the target audience, but the £34,000 grant pool is also available for other organisations, such as schools and clinics, and community associations.

Eligible organisations can apply for a £200 grant for a satellite or wireless broadband connection.

As well as assisting organisations to obtain affordable and fast connectivity, the programme is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of broadband and to stimulate demand.

Grants will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Peter Sinclair, SEEDA's wired region broadband programmes manager said: "Access to broadband and improved communications is vital to ensuring that businesses retain their competitive edge.

"Many companies are crying out for an affordable solution to address their current needs. If you are unable to get ADSL there are still ways and means of getting a broadband conection.

"We hope that this programme will help to demonstrate the demand for all incarnations of broadband and benefit the wider Kent community."

For further information, visit www.wiredsussex.com/Projects/broadband.asp or telephone Nicola Ashmore on 01273 201787.