If you are a small or medium-sized business (SME) based in the Coast to Capital area, find out how applying for a government grant could help boost your expansion plans.
Grants are now available for start-ups, established businesses and social enterprises struggling to secure funding to grow and create new jobs via the Business Growth Grants initiative.
Back for a second year, Coast to Capital LEP has pledged to award £2.4 million to local businesses who can demonstrate their benefit to the region’s economy.
Businesses are invited to bid for a grant of between £15,000-£100,000. Whether you are a start-up seeking investment or a medium business in transition, you could meet your targets ahead of schedule with Business Growth Grants.
Managed by partners West Sussex County Council, the programme is open to businesses pursuing financial support to purchase capital items and committed to creating new job opportunities.
Project proposals for the funding are accepted exclusively from organisations operating in the Coast to Capital region covering: West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Lewes, Croydon, Epsom and Ewell, Reigate and Banstead, Mole Valley and Tandridge.
The £2.4 million fund is more than double that which helped to create 57 new jobs in year one – a figure projected to reach 148. Since the programme’s launch last year, £1 million has been allocated to 28 successful applicants.
Fast forward twelve months and one Brighton-based grant recipient recalls its transformation from local to global broadcaster. Latest TV producer Angi Mariani revealed how the company chose to match its grant of £19,000 enabling them to create and complete programmes for sale on the international market.
“The grant helped us conclude a deal with Amazon Prime to sell our best programmes on their platforms and reach millions of new viewers worldwide.”
The funding also facilitated the recruitment of promising young editors and filmmakers brought in to promote the city across the UK and further afield.
Premium pastry manufacturer Higgidy from Shoreham-by-Sea received £93,973 to support their business’ development after feeling the pinch of rising prices in recent years. CEO James Footit explained how the supermarket supplier has given greater man-power to its sauce making line since creating 12 new jobs.
“The grant we received has enabled us to do substantially more of our sauce making process – this improves our quality, our traceability, our margin and above all will create jobs.”
Funding applications are welcome from all industries, however preference will be given to businesses within key Coast to Capital sectors. These highlighted services include; advanced engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, life science, medical technology, goods & services, creative, digital and IT and environmental technologies.
Eligible businesses can apply to the Business Growth Grants programme by submitting an EOI form. Coast to Capital and West Sussex County Council encourage businesses not to delay and complete their application before the total funding is allocated.
More information on eligibility and criteria can be found on the Business West Sussex website, you can also download the EOI form at www.businesswestsussex.co.uk/businessgrowthgrants.
Realise your future ambitions sooner and apply for a Business Growth Grant. Contact us today for further information and to discuss your project, email businessgrants@westsussex.gov.uk.
