The county administrative board has supported Värmland companies since the 80s and remains an important part of regional growth policy. Since May 2015, the County Administrative Board has received a number of new business support to handle, which has given the County Administrative Board a larger “tool box”. However, the annual budget remains unchanged. But there is room for working wider but also more aimed at developing the business sector in the county. In principle, the entire Swedish prosperity increase since the 1960s has been achieved through increased productivity, that is, by working more efficiently. Productivity per hour worked has quadrupled in 50 years, largely due to the strong technological development in the production of telecommunications products. The development has also been due to structural factors such as globalisation, the use of information technology, deregulation of product markets and innovations. Improved productivity has contributed to Sweden’s strong position as a manufacturer of high-tech goods. These account for almost half of our exports. (Source Boverket) The difficulties in running companies in the support area are largely about access to external capital. The banks’ restructuring and centralisation often means that decision-makers are far from the borrower. Public risk-willing capital is in the form of the County Administrative Board and Almi Företagspartner. Some state venture capital funds have been added in recent years but they are very sparse with which companies they engage in. Collaboration between the County Administrative Board, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, ALMI and regional banks are often important to obtain effective financing for companies in development phases. The purpose of regional business subsidies is to promote a stronger competitiveness, to get more and stronger companies and thereby increase growth and sustainable regional development. The national objective is for regional business support to be developed to provide better opportunities for regional growth work. It’s about giving regions the right tools to work with to equalise the regional differences in order to develop the business world. The aim of the project is to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises increase their turnover and achieve a lasting increase in employment. Operationally, Värmland County Administrative Board has set its goal with the framework project that 25 companies, of which about 10 new companies, will make investments amounting to SEK 40 million. The expectation is that this will generate an employment increase of 80 people and 50 yearly workforces. In the review of the applications, the County Administrative Board assesses: — The business nature of the company’s operations and how the investment affects the company’s development opportunities and, in particular, is able to achieve sustainable growth. “The owners’ previous experience and knowledge to conduct the business and their resources in order to further develop the business in the future. — Place’s prerequisites to conduct current operations. — The market for the company’s products and services, are they growing or shrinking? — Where are the customers; local or regional. What requirements does it place on how products and services are conveyed and what requirements are placed on market efforts? What is the competitive situation with regard to the effects of support for other companies locally/regional? What do the company’s operations look like with regard to the work environment, social conditions, environmental aspects of the business, etc.? What are the employment conditions at the workplace? What effects of employment can be expected from the measure? What significance does the investment have for the company and for the rest of the business sector? Is the investment innovative or otherwise of great importance to society at large? — Does the company have the necessary permits for the business? How do other financiers see current investment? Can you cope with liquidity? — Is the County Administrative Board’s support needed to carry out the operation?