Chichester gains new round of Enabling Grant funding
Small enterprises across the Chichester District will be able to take their business further thanks to a new round of Enabling Grant funding, which will be launched by Chichester District Council on Monday 9th May 2022.
Managed by the council’s Economic Development Team, the Enabling Grant Scheme gives small businesses in the district the chance to access funding that will help them to develop and grow.
There are two types of grants and businesses can apply for one of the following options:
- Growth Project Grants — a grant of up to £2,000 to help fund capital projects, such as the purchase of new equipment to improve productivity or to reach new markets (with the council providing up to 50% of the project cost and the balance match funded by the business).
- Start-up awards — a fully-funded grant of up to £500 for start-up businesses (this does not need to be match funded).
Enabling Grant funding application information
Councillor Tony Dignum, Cabinet Member for Growth, Place and Regeneration says of the scheme: “After a very encouraging reaction from local businesses to this scheme, which received over 75 applications during the last round in September 2021, we’re really pleased to be able to help even more of our local businesses to grow and thrive with this additional financial support.
“This latest round of funding is set to benefit around 35 local enterprises, looking to boost their business through expansion and innovation, or who are looking for a way to get a new business started. It’s just one of the ways in which we are supporting our local businesses.
“We particularly welcome applications from businesses in the ‘green’ sector or applications for projects to reduce a business’ environmental impact — these applications will be prioritised during the evaluation process.
“We’ve created some guidance notes to help businesses understand the types of projects that are eligible, as well as the information that needs to be provided with the application.
“Please make sure that you have read the guidance notes carefully before you apply. All valid applications will be evaluated by our Economic Development Officers and assessed against the guidance notes on our website. The decision process may take up to six weeks from the application closing date.”
Businesses can find out more about the scheme and read the guidance notes at www.chichester.gov.uk/enablinggrantscheme. For more information, email business.support@chichester.gov.uk
The closing deadline for Enabling Grant funding applications is 30th May at 1 P.M.