Business Growth Small Grant Scheme

Remaining funds for this Grant Scheme: £0

This Scheme is now closed to new enquiries

The Business Growth Small Grant Scheme is designed to meet the Leader 4 Torridge and North Devon Objective to raise and support growth aspirations of rural micro businesses. It will provide small grants for activity that improves productivity and supports sustainable growth.

Do I qualify for this scheme?
How do I apply?
What can I use the grant for?
What cannot be funded?
When will I know if my application has been successful?

Useful downloads:

• Guidance leaflet

Do I qualify for this scheme?

To qualify for the scheme, your business or social enterprises must have:-

• Under 10 full-time equivalent employees (including directors who are not share holders)
• A business trading address in the Leader 4 area - rural Torridge and North Devon districts, excluding the six central wards that make up Barnstaple Town: Pilton, Yeo Valley, Forches & Whiddon Valley, Newport, Central Town and Longbridge.
• Been trading for at least 12 months, evidenced by a set of accounts;
• Have an annual turnover of less than £1.7million.

How do I apply?

Application to the scheme is through a competitive process and priority will be given to businesses who demonstrate sustainable growth.

Before completing a full application form, please submit the eligibility checklist and the Leader 4 team will advise you on whether your proposal will be eligible for the grant, and provide advice on completing the application form. The Business Grant Scheme Panel will consider applications and make recommendations on grant decisions to the SW Regional Development Agency.

What can I use the grant for?

The grant will provide up to 50% of eligible project costs up to a maximum of £7,500 (with a minimum grant of £1,000). The grant can be used for activity that will help your business to take the next step to expand. You will need to demonstrate that the things you are applying for are necessary to develop the business and that they are additional to existing activity.

Some examples could be:

• Purchase of equipment (but not replacement or upgrading of existing equipment).
• Installation of new technology
• Product development and testing.
• Technical support to lead to business growth
• Introduction of a new marketing technique
• Improving energy efficiency/reducing environmental impact/waste minimisation
• Adaptations/improvements to premises
• 6 months wage subsidy (this must be a new post, retained for at least 12 months)

What cannot be funded?

• Vehicles
• Basic ICT equipment and software, such as office computers printers, word processing and spreadsheets etc
• Actions to meet Health and Safety or other statutory requirements.
• Continuing existing marketing/advertising. 
• Purchase of Stock.
• Salaries/costs of the applicant or existing staff.
• Bank Charges.
• Rent.
• General overheads.
• Wage subsidy for new employees to be retained for less than 12 months.
• Businesses engaged in primary agricultural production (seperate diversification businesses such as tourism or food sales may be eligible).
• Replacement of fixtures/fittings. 
• Training costs.
• Items or equipment on lease.
• Purchase of buildings.

When will I know if my application has been successful?

Due to the extremely high interest in this grant, it is important that you read and comply with the guidance before submitting your application. Any incomplete applications received will not be submitted to the panel.

Completed and checked applications will be examined by the panel before a final decision is made by the South West Regional Development Agency, which can take up to two weeks following the panel meeting.

Please note that Leader 4 cannot provide retrospective funding, therefore do not purchase items or agree contracts prior to receiving formal notification of the grant being offered.

Although it is not guaranteed that your application will be presented to the first panel meeting available, due to the high volume of applications received, a general guide for submission deadlines is provided below:

Meeting Date	Application Deadline
1st April 2010	18th March 2010
6th May 2010	22nd April 2010
10th June 2010	27th May 2010
8th July 2010	24th June 2010
5th August 2010	22nd July 2010
9th September 2010	26th August 2010
7th October 2010	23rd September 2010
11th November 2010	28th October 2010
9th December 2010	25th November 2010