IT’S little more than a year until the greatest sporting event in the world arrives just a stone’s throw from the county, in Stratford, East London.

The 2012 Olympics are set to regenerate an entire area of London and beyond, but already there is evidence of the Games’ legacy being seen across Essex.

Although no events will be held in north Essex, the Olympics is bringing huge investment and success to our businesses.

Companies from all over the county have been successful in winning contracts from the Olympic Delivery Authority, providing a welcome lift in these tough economic times.

And 167 contracts have been secured by Essex-based companies through CompeteFor, a website which allows businesses to compete for Olympic opportunities.

The CompeteFor contracts have totalled about £13.8million.

One company which has benefited from the games is KatCreativ PR, an events management firm based in Butt Road, Colchester. The first contract it won was to run an online registration system for a free 2012 event that took place in September 2008.

As a result of this success, the company won two further event management contracts, plus a further contract for the London Business Network.

Katie Skingle, director, said: “The 2012 Olympics is the biggest event we are going to see in our lifetime and, having an event management side to the company, it was something we definitely wanted to be involved in.

“We have done a lot of work in the Havering borough of London, trying to get businesses to come forward to register on CompeteFor.

“We would like to be involved in doing that more, especially in Colchester.

“Bearing in mind it takes one hour to register for CompeteFor, every business should really be on there.

“There are loads of opportunites for small and medium-sized enterprises.”

This year, contracts worth about £250million will be available through CompeteFor, ranging from the supply of podiums and costumes, to hiring professional artists and performers.

CompeteFor is running a free workshop to help businesses take advantage of the contract opportunities.

Stephen Castle, Essex County Council cabinet member for the 2012 Games, said: “I am pleased to see Essex companies utilising CompeteFor and successfully winning new contracts to help deliver the London 2012 Games.

“With 18 months to go, there is still plenty of business to be won from bidding for contracts and benefiting from the 2012 Games being on our doorstep. I urge Essex enterprises to take full advantage of the opportunities the 2012 Games will present.”

Denise Rossiter, managing director of the Essex Chambers of Commerce, said: “There are immense opportunities out there.

“The Olympics in general has been marvellous for Essex and will continue to be.

“Businesses are going for all the contracts they can and the additional revenue has been a welcome relief to many in tough times.”

The next workshop near Essex is on March 9, in Bishop’s Stortford.

Log on to www.eeda.org.uk/competefor for futher information.