Going for Growth
The Going for Growth Service offers specialist support to farmers, associated high quality proposals that will allow them to secure appropriate capital funding to enhance their business potential. Additionally, the Service enables land based businesses to develop resource efficiency plans for their business.
What is the purpose of the service?
To provide support to growth focused land based businesses. Guidance to enable businesses to identify appropriate funding sources to capitalise on potential development opportunities through:
Developing appropriate terms of reference for feasibility studies
- Offering access to funding to complete a feasibility study to elevate the viability of projects and assess their potential impact on the core business
- Reviewing the completed feasibility study to ensure that all aspects of the project and business have been explored and the necessary resources are available to the business
- Building the capability and confidence of the business owners so they have the confidence to manage the implementation of the capital project to maximise business success.
What is available?
- Support to farmers to develop Resource Efficiency Plans (subsidised by up to 80%)
- Up to 3 days, fully funded support, to provide direction and facilitate the production of a business development plan, including the development of terms of reference for a feasibility study
- Grant funding of up to £7,500 (maximum intervention rate of 50%) to enable companies to commission a feasibility study to assess the viability and costs of the proposed project
- The study will include in-depth research into the project and its benefits and impact on the business and the wider economy
- Review of the feasibility study to ensure all aspects of the project, its potential and its impact have been assessed.
- Access to fully funded mentoring support of up to 5 days to guide the development of the business with the business owners (this service is also available to a limited number of groups of businesses)
Who is the service for?
- Land based businesses (farmers, growers, foresters, primary processors, rural tourism businesses and other rural businesses with fewer than 10 workers and less than £2 million turnover) seeking capital funding
- Projects that fall into one of the following categories:
~ Modernisation of agricultural holdings
~ Adding value to agricultural and forestry products
~ Infrastructure and water resources
~ Diversification into non-agricultural activities
~ Support for the creation and development of rural micro businesses
~ Encouragement of tourism.
Who do I contact for more information?
Nigel Wroe - Programme Manager Tel: 0121 569 0775
Email: nigelwroe@businesslinkwm.co.uk.
