Kao Data - the developer behind a new data centre in Reddish - is launching a new community grant scheme to help fund local projects.

Coinciding with the opening of its new centre, Kao will be offering financial support to not-for-profit projects across Stockport. Packages will range from £500 to £2,500.

The new scheme - dubbed the SEED fund - will be available for pilot programmes, or to boost existing projects.

The SEED fund will be supported by Sector 3, an organisation which supports charities and non-profit groups. It is Sector 3 that will be managing applications for the SEED fund, on behalf of Kao.

Submissions are open until 12 February 2025.

Do you run a local group or project yourself? Apply to the SEED fund here.

Kao Data's Spencer Lamb and Doug Loewe With Andy Burnham and Cllr Mark Hunter, on the site of the new centre in Reddish (Image - Kao Data)

"At Kao Data, our commitment to being a good corporate citizen is woven deep into our DNA", said David Bloom, Founder and Chairman of Kao Data. "The launch of the Kao SEED Fund in Stockport underscores our dedication to fostering sustainability, positive community action, and development projects that will support the local neighbourhood around what will be our newest data centre. 

"As the founder of Kao Data, a serial entrepreneur, a community volunteer myself for over 25 years, and someone who takes great pride in ensuring we fulfil and surpass our corporate social responsibility mandate as a business, I'm excited to see what type of projects the Kao SEED Fund will help make possible." 

Kao's new data centre will occupy 25,900 sqm, and will be based on a site off Kenwood Road. Once built, it'll be the biggest data centre in the North West.

It will provide a physical storage base for all the functions of modern technology – helping us to do everything from using a mobile phone or laptop, to developing the future of artificial intelligence (AI).

Bosses behind the plans say it could open the door to other data centres wanting to come to the region, drawing the businesses of the future to Greater Manchester.

~

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.

Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or Twitter