Grants and Funding
Grant For Business Investment
Grants are available to new and existing businesses in Ashford
looking to invest in capital equipment to expand and modernise
facilities, increase productivity and safeguard and create skilled
jobs. Projects can involve capital expenditure on fixed assets such
as land and property plant and machinery or finance for the wage
costs of new jobs.
All grants are awarded on a discretionary basis and the level of
potential assistance depends upon company size; location; eligible
project expenditure; number of skilled jobs created or safeguarded,
project quality and whether your business will be serving regional,
national or international markets.
Financial assistance of up to 20% of eligible project costs is
available to small businesses and up to 10% for medium sized
businesses in the Ashford area.
| Business SIze |
Grant Amount |
Minimum Capital Expenditure |
| Small Enterprise
Less than 50 group employees, turnover of balance sheet of less
than £10m
|
Up to 20% of eligible project costs (max grant
£2.5million) |
£67,000 |
| Medium Enterprise
Less than 250 group employees with less than £50m turnover or a
balance sheet of less than £43m
|
Up to 10% of eligible project costs (max grant
£1.25m) |
£134,000 |
Additional funding is also available for start up
businesses owned and actively managed by female entrepreneurs.
To find out if your business qualifies for a grant
visit the Locate in Kent
Website or for free advice and support call Locate in Kent
on 01732 520700.
Research and Development Grant
If your business is looking for financial assistance to carry
out research and development work on technologically innovative
products and processes you could be eligible for a Research and
Development Grant between £5000 and £500,000 from the Department
for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
There are 4 types of project that are eligible for the grant
- Micro Project
- Research Project
- Development Project
- Exceptional Development Project
For more information on these projects and to find out if your
business is eligible for a grant please email Locate in Kent, call 01732
520700 or for more information on the grant conditions visit the
Locate in Kent
Research and Development Information page.
Enterprise Development Fund
If you are finding it difficult to raise finance through a Bank
or Building Society then Capitalise Business Support might be able
to help through the Enterprise Development Fund.
Am I eligible?
If you can answer yes to the following then you are eligible to
apply:
- Unable to get business finance?
- Over 18?
- Got a good business proposition?
What business support will I receive?
Capitalise Business Support through the Enterprise Development
Fund will help you in the following ways:
- Give you time and advice on how to refine and develop your
plans.
- Guide you through the loan application process.
- Give you the opportunity to attend a range of start-up
workshops and business training (there may be additional charges
for this).
- Provide you a free business mentor to give ongoing business
support to help grow your business.
How much can I borrow?
Between £3,000 and £25,000 with loan terms of up to 5 years.
For more information contact Mike Trotter, Loan Fund
Manager call 0845 601 8326 or email.
Energy Grant 500
This scheme is aimed at improving energy
efficiency in businesses. Its benefits include:
- Reducing energy costs
- Encouraging staff involvement in energy
retention
- Support for projects costing over £500
This grant is worth £500 and businesses who
have an annual energy spend of between £1,500 and £30,000 are
eligible to apply. Companies must be based in the South East of
England.
If the business is eligible for the grant they
will be provided with an energy meter to measure energy consumption
before and after the energy efficiency project. Once the necessary
documentation has been completed a cheque will be sent to the
business.
For more information on the Energy 500 Grant
call Business Link on 0845 600 9 006
The Prince’s Trust
If you are between 18 and 30 years of age with a business
start-up idea, you could benefit from support from The Prince’s
Trust including:
- a low interest loan of up to £4,000 for a sole trader, or up to
£5,000 for a partnership (the average loan is between £2,000 and
£3,000 but varies regionally)
- a grant of up to £1,500 in special circumstances (subject to
local availability)
- a test marketing grant of up to £250 (subject to local
availability)
- ongoing advice from a volunteer business mentor
- access to a wide range of products and services. Includes our
free Legal Helpline sponsored by Barclays.
The Prince’s Trust can help you turn your dream into
reality.
Call 0800 842842 or visit The Princes Trust
website
This webpage was updated on
7/29/2010