SMALL and medium sized enterprises in Northamptonshire are invited to apply for up to £20,000 Business Support Grants to stimulate their growth,strengthen their position in the market and create jobs in the county.
The Business Support Grants are part of the Ready2Grow project and offer revenue and capital grants to eligible SMEs who have investment ready projects which can be completed with expenditure claimed by the end of November 2018.
The revenue grants are from £2,000 to £10,000 and cover the procurement of consultancy services. This could range from external expertise overhauling digital marketing channels, to more specialist consultancy undertaking market research for new products and ideas.
The capital grants are from £5,000 to £20,000 bearing the costs of the renovation, conversion or refurbishment of commercial premises for business expansion. The procurement of new assets, such as equipment, apparatus, machinery, and technology that will lead to significant business growth, are also eligible.
One of the local businesses that has recently been awarded a grant is NN1 Personnel, a recruitment agency that supplies temporary HGV drivers to a wide range of logistics clients in Northamptonshire.
Justyna Sodel, Director at NN1 Personnel, said: “The Ready2Grow project supported our company with a grant towards the costs of our promotional marketing campaign. This really helped us with our online presence and strengthened the brand awareness giving us opportunities to engage with new clients and grow our business.”
The grant scheme is part of a wider package of support offered under the Ready2Grow project which includes one-to-one business advice, a variety of workshops and access to expert knowledge. The Ready2Grow project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and is delivered in Northamptonshire by the Growth Hub, the University of Northampton and Northamptonshire County Council.
Julie Tebbutt, Operations Manager at Northamptonshire Growth Hub, said: “We understand that there are often significant barriers to growth for SMEs. The new Business Support Grants have been designed in response to client feedback and should help businesses to break down those barriers in order to facilitate their desired growth.
“We’re very much looking forward to awarding grants to SMEs in order to drive the local economy through the creation of additional jobs across the county.”
Applications should be submitted by 12 noon on Friday, August 3.
Anyone wishing to know more can call the Growth Hub on 01604 212696, or email for details on eligibility and how to apply.