Deadline: 2-May-21
The Chichester District Council is pleased to launch the Enabling Grant Program to help improve the efficiency of independent local businesses, to maximise the potential for growth and to assist new businesses with start-up costs.
Funding Information
- Capital Projects — 50% match funded up to a maximum contribution of £2000. To enable small businesses to purchase, for example:
- items of capital equipment
- training packages
- additional marketing advice
- fixtures and fittings to improve premises
- Website or social media projects — 50% match funded up to a maximum contribution of £1500. To enable small businesses, for example:
- to update existing websites to be more accessible across all devices
- to enable e-commerce
- to establish a new website to reach more customers
- to establish or improve their digital presence through the use of social media platforms
- Start-up Grant Award — to a maximum contribution of £500 from the Council (non-match funded). To enable a new start—up business, for example:
- to purchase items of capital equipment
- to purchase training packages
- to improve premises, fixture and fittings
- to develop a high-quality and engaging website or social media presence
- The grant made will be 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum contribution of £1500 for Website/Social Media projects and £2000 for a Capital projects.
- The Start-up Grant Award is non-match funded, up to a maximum contribution of £500 from the Council.
- BAC’s payment will be made to the organisation that has made the grant application and on receipt of paid invoices.
Eligibility Criteria
- Businesses who have received an enabling grant previously will not be eligible to apply for this grant within two years of receipt of the previous grant payment. Businesses cannot have more than two enabling grants within the last five year period.
- Businesses applying for the start-up grant award must have only been trading for a maximum of 18 months. Evidence of this must be provided with the application form.
- Businesses must be based in the Chichester District and employ no more than 25 paid employees (full time equivalents).
- Businesses that are registered separately at differing premises but share the same directors and are managed together will only be eligible to make one application.
- A grant cannot be sought for retrospective projects or expenditure or for ongoing costs. A completed Grant Agreement must be signed and returned prior to any work being undertaken or expenditure being incurred.
- Applications must be completed online, with all sections completed and all relevant quotes attached.
- A minimum of two independent quotes must be provided for website and social media development activities. All other applications requires at least one quote and should clearly state the cost of equipment or services being requested. Quotes should be valid for 3 months.
- Quotes must be on formal letter headed paper and the supplier/provider must be based in the Chichester District; if you are unable to use a supplier/provider in the district, reasons for this must be stated on the application form. Quotes for capital equipment can be a screenshot but the supplier details and product description and cost must be clearly stated.
- If the supplier/provider is a family member or has an interest in your business, this must be stated on the application form and a further quote must be provided by another supplier/provider.
- After the deadline, all valid applications will be evaluated by the Economic Development Officers and a decision will be made as to whether or not the application can move onto the next stage of approval. The overall decision process may take up to six weeks, from the closing date.
- An applicant/business must have no disputes with the Council.
- Though the Council will consider a variety of applications, they must meet the criteria as above and the Council reserves the right to reject applications
- If applying for an upgrade to an existing website, the website must be at least one year old.
- On completion of projects, they will require evidence of work carried out and submission of paid invoices/receipts. They will need to see proof that the invoice(s) have been paid.
- The Council’s Economic Development Officers may visit/contact to verify details of the project.
- Applicants must provide feedback on the effectiveness of the projects, as and when requested.
Criteria
The Council is particularly interested in receiving applications which demonstrate one or more of the following criteria:
- Contribution to the local economy
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- e.g. Local supply chain – the use of local suppliers
- Protecting local jobs/creating local jobs
- Reducing Environmental impact
- Protecting the environment
- Reducing carbon footprint
- Innovation
- Improving productivity
- New ways of working or offering your goods or services to your customer
- Commercial viability — e.g. the proposed expenditure will help to sustain the longer term prospects for the business
For more information, visit https://www.chichester.gov.uk/enablinggrantscheme