IT'S not just people within the North East that are talking about the businesses growing in Sedgefield's NETPark. The successes of resident companies such as Kromek and Reinnervate have pricked up the ears of service providers in the region and beyond.

Now the science park’s owner has launched a scheme through which they can gain extra access to the firms themselves.

The County Durham Development Company (CDDC)’s Affinity programme is being offered as part of NETPark Net, the online community designed to extend the on-site support available at NETPark beyond the grounds of the park.

Through the scheme, service providers pay to have silver or gold status, giving them added profile and access to the companies.

A silver package costs £500 per year, and gives companies a basic profile on NETPark Net, including a profile, logo, photo and a weekly blog.

The £3,000-per-year gold package adds features such as exclusive sponsorship of two e-newsletters a year, use of a meeting room once a quarter in the NETPark Incubator, the ability to host clinics and workshops, and sponsorship of a session at renewable energy conference Solar Flair 11.

They also get an articles in the NETPark magazine NETWorks. While the status is dependent on quality and reviewed annually, CDDC will only award gold status to one company operating within a particular sector.

CDDC director of innovation development Catherine Johns said: “What we noticed is more and more service providers want to access the network of innovative companies we have.

“Rather than just say ‘come in and be members’, we thought it would be better to give them more structured access to the membership so the companies know they’re not going to be deluged with business development calls.

“This is not restricted to a certain type of expertise. These companies need a range of knowledge and skills. It could be patent advice, legal or design.”