Local grants are now open for businesses in the Harborough district to help them prosper and grow.
Eligible businesses are invited to apply for a grant of up to £2,000. Applications are open to any business in the Harborough district with an eligible project.
The grants are being managed and distributed by Harborough District Council using £50,000 received from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF).
Following the successful Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) administered by the council in 2021, the grants are spread across the same three themes:
- Go Green – to help businesses to reduce their carbon footprints, increase energy efficiency and reduce fixed costs. (Examples last year included: funding for a new electric van for Green Shoots zero emission delivery service, and new air source heat pumps and chillers for Langton Brewery)
- Go Digital – to support digital technology solutions which improve business performance and encourage wider/online access to customers. (Examples last year included: funding to Environmental Energies Ltd for the purchase of a database to help them tendering for new contracts, and Magfiliana Ltd. for a new sublimation printer for the design and production of high-quality ties, pocket squares, and bow ties)
- Go Innovate – Support for new products or methods within your business to help improve efficiencies and create business growth. (Examples last year included: funding to Leicestershire Craft Centre for the purchase of a new glass kiln to allow them to produce their own glass art and develop craft courses)
Cllr Phil King, leader of Harborough District Council, said: “We are delighted to be able to use funding from the UKSPF to support businesses directly to invest in new products or services which will enable them to grow. This is one of the first projects we are planning to deliver from the UKSPF, with more to follow supporting the overarching objective of the fund in ‘building pride in place and increasing life chances’.”
The grants are now open and will close on Tuesday 31 January 2023, however grants will be allocated on a first come first served basis for those who meet the criteria. As a result the grant may well close before the deadline.
