South Holland District Council will reopen its Recovery & Growth Grant Fund for new applications from businesses based in the District next Tuesday (23 November), aimed at helping local businesses recover from the impact of COVID-19 and invest for future growth.
The scheme originally opened in August this year, before closing four weeks later when the funds were fully committed, with over £1million allocated in total to support 128 South Holland businesses.
This new smaller tranche of funding, of around £170,000, will give those businesses who missed out last time another opportunity to apply. It will again be available for both capital and revenue grants, with amounts between £1,000 and £25,000 available for a maximum contribution of 50% towards any purchases.
Unlike the previous emergency COVID grants that the Council has helped distribute, which supported running costs to help keep businesses trading, this fund is focused on future development and growth, and can be used to support a wide range of investments.
Examples of things that can be funded include:
- Website development
- Staff training & development costs
- Business advice or consultancy costs
- Development of marketing materials or promotional activity
- Equipment and machinery or other assets that can help your business to grow
- Cost of renovating your shop front within planning and conservation area rules
- Innovations to help your business to adapt and change after COVID-19
- Development of a new product or service to help your business to diversify.
The Council has created the Fund using the District’s remaining allocation of Government COVID-19 support for businesses. Applications are open from Tuesday 23 November, and likely to be open for a short period due to anticipated high levels of demand. All grants awarded need to be fully claimed by 28 February 2022.
Councillor Nick Worth, deputy leader and portfolio holder for people, places, economy, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to reopen this Fund to give South Holland’s businesses another opportunity to access this vital support for them and the District.
“We want to help our economy to thrive and to encourage our businesses to invest, develop and come back stronger than ever before following the challenges of the pandemic. I’d encourage anyone who thinks they may be able to benefit from the funding to explore the guidance and apply as soon as they can, so they don’t miss out.”
