Business Booster Grants and Training Vouchers for Herefordshire Businesses
Business Booster Grant – for Herefordshire Businesses
Purpose of the Grant Scheme
The Scheme is to support the growth or diversification of existing micro, small and medium sized businesses at this time of economic downturn and address the challenges of accessing finance. The scheme will support a range of initiatives including research and development, marketing, product development, diversification, etc. When assessing your application particular emphasis will be placed on innovative solutions for your business.
Successful applicants will be offered a grant of between £250 and £4,000, which is to be match funded by the applicant. The Scheme will offer a maximum match-funding of 50% but for a particularly innovative scheme we may offer more.
The scheme aims to help develop a diverse and dynamic business base in Herefordshire by:
• Contributing to the creation of new employment opportunities.
• Helping young but growing businesses to make a significant change in their development.
• Helping existing businesses to access new markets.
• Encouraging innovation, diversification and business growth.
• Enable businesses to become VAT or PAYE registered
Eligibility Criteria
• The business must be independent and located within the administrative area of Herefordshire Council.
• Have been established for more than six months.
• Have the ability to match fund a minimum of 50% of the project costs, evidence will be required.
• The business must be classed as a Micro or SME (Small or Medium Enterprise) of not more than 250 employees.
• If we identify areas in which the Application or Business Plan needs strengthening we may refer you to a business support agency to help you in these areas.
The Application process is in two stages:-
• Stage 1 – completion of the application form - deadline of 23rd September 2011, at 4pm.
• Stage 2 – eligible applications will then be asked to submit a Business Case in writing, to go to the grant panel after 26th September.
For information or application forms please contact:
Lyndsay McCron 01432 383633 lmccron@herefordshire.gov.uk
Application forms can also be downloaded from the Herefordshire Council website:- www.herefordshire.gov.uk/business/business_support/45918.asp
Business Training Voucher – for Herefordshire Businesses
Purpose of the Scheme
This scheme is to provide financial support for businesses to send employees on training that will make a difference to the viability or diversification of the business. This can include support for new starters, personal development, vocational/specialist training or enabling employees to move to a new role. Particularly suitable for training a group of staff, or for more innovative training approaches, not available through Train2Gain or other existing schemes.
Successful businesses applying to the scheme will be offered a training voucher up to 75% of the total cost to a maximum of £750, The difference is to be match-funded by the applicant. e.g. If you identify training costing £1,000, Herefordshire Council will contribute £750 towards the total costs, and the applicant will be expected to contribute £250.
The scheme aims to encourage innovation, diversification and workforce development of Herefordshire Businesses by:
• Providing the opportunity for businesses to develop specialist skills in order to grow the business, e.g. Information Technology, Financial Skills etc.
• Helping businesses to deal with Health & Safety Issues, e.g. Risk Assessments, Manual Handling, Forklift Truck Training, Use of specialist equipment i.e. Chainsaws.
• Enable businesses to develop customer interface skills, e.g. Customer Relations, Equality & Diversity etc.
• Improve motivation, increase efficiency and productivity through better team working
.
Eligibility Criteria
• The business must be independent and located within the administrative area of Herefordshire Council.
• Have been established for more than six months.
• Have the ability to match fund a minimum of 25% of the project costs, evidence will be required.
• All training identified within the application form will need to be provided by an Accredited Training Provider.
• If we feel that your training requirements need further consideration we may refer you to a business support agency.
To apply, please contact:
Herefordshire Council’s Economic Development Service on 01432 383633.
Further details are also available on the website www.herefordshire.gov.uk/business/business_support/45918.asp
